Masterfully genre scene with young artists on outdoor study was executed by Johann Hermann Kretzschmer ( 1811 in Anklam - 1890 in Berlin) , important genre, historical and oriental painter of the Düsseldorf School of painting.

Kretzschmer came to Berlin in 1829, where Wilhelm woke him up. From 1831 to 1837 he studied at the Art academy Düsseldorf with Friedrich Wilhelm von Schadow. The first major works were fairytale pictures, which were inspired by Theodor Hildebrandt and Eduard Steinbrück. At the suggestion of his friend Ferdinand Freiligrath [1], he undertook an extensive study trip to the Mediterranean and the Middle East: In 1838 he went to Rome first and visited Sicily, Greece, Egypt and Constantinople in 1840 and 1841. He financed his travels partly with portraits of dignitaries. He attracted attention with the portrait of the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I, as there had been no painting of this ruler before because of the prohibition of pictures in Islam. In 1842 he returned to Düsseldorf, but moved to Berlin in 1845. On the basis of his sketches, collectibles and experiences brought from the Orient, he created further images of the "ethnic genre" in the 1840s and 1850s and was sometimes referred to as "the first Berlin orient Painter". However, he soon turned to other themes of genre painting. In 1856 he was appointed titular professor. He also created etchings: "From the Life of a child (after Reinicks poem)" and "Ammonium (after Freiligrath)"

Kretzschmer was a young friend of the composer Otto Nicolai. He was also friend of the poet Emanuel Geibel, who dedicated a sonnet to him.

Literature: "General Artist´s Lexicon" by Thieme/Becker, Leipzig, 1999; Boetticher " Malerwerke des 19.Jahrhunderts", Leiptig, 1891; Hans Paffrath (Hrsg.): Lexikon der Düsseldorfer Malerschule: 1819–1918. Band 2, Bruckmann, Munich 1998.

Inscription: signed on the cover of the paint box.

Technique: oil on canvas. Luxuriousy original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed 22" x 27 1/3" (56 x 69,5cm,) framed 30 1/3" x 35 1/3" ( 77 x 90 cm)

Condition: in good condition, original canvas professionally restored.