Flower and fruit still life by Austrian still life painter Fritzi (von) Mikesch (also Fritzie, Friderike, Fritze, born February 23, 1853 in Vienna; † March 12, 1891 there).

Fritzi von Mikesch was a student of Rudolph Ernst and Leopold Carl Müller. She painted almost exclusively still lifes. From 1880 to 1883 and 1888 she took part in exhibitions of the Austrian Art Association in Vienna (including floral pieces, still life with pheasant, still life with urn). In 1888 she presented the oil paintings Still Life, Cellar Scene and Stone Bench with Fruit to the International Anniversary Exhibition in the Vienna Künstlerhaus. Her work From the Pantry was shown at the Munich annual exhibition in the Glass Palace in 1890. One of her hunting still lifes ended up in the collection of the Rudolfinum in Prague.

Fritzi von Mikesch was dependent on a wheelchair since she was a child. She died at the age of 38.

Literature: Prof.H.Fuchs, Lexicon of Austrian artists, Vienna, 1975; Thieme/Becker, XXIV, 1930, 551 ;  Pavière, Flower III.2, 1964;Mandere–Möhl. E. A. Seemann, Leipzig 1930, p. 551; on-line Wikipedia.

Inscription: signed and dated 1882 lower right

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

Dimensions: unframed w. 18 3/4” x h. 24” (47,5 x 61 cm), framed w. 25 1/3” x h. 30 3/4” (64,5 x 78 cm).

Condition: very good.