Masterful study of forest peace with roses and butterflies was created in 1838. This painting is early work by important Austrian flower painter from the Biedermeier Epoch Josef Lauer. The subject, style and composition of it matches absolutely all stylistic criteria , particularly of his flower still lifes on the forest bank. Very similar work by J.Lauer (with identical dimensions and composition) was estimated for 19000 € (+ 22% auction provision fee) in the auction of "Dorotheum", Vienna on 16 may 2002 (Cat.N 65). A few unimportant differences of both works (our and from "Dorotheum") confirm our confidence, that our work is unfinished Lauer´s version of the painting in Dorothem . To comparison see photo of the painting in Dorotheum (photo No.11) : two flowers on our painting (upper from main composition) and two blue butterflies (upper left) are not so clearly finished, as on the painting in Dorotheum and it was changed the insect on the branch of tree ( instead of butterfly a snail). Otherwise the composition of both paintings are fully identical. After photo No. 11 you can see another forest still lifes by J.Lauer , sold in different auctions by "Dorotheum",Vienna with high results (photos No.12-15).

Josef Lauer ( 1818 -Vienna - 1881 ) - important Austrian still life and flower painter of Vienna biedermeier school of 19 century. He was the student of Vienna Art Academy under Sebastian Wegmayr, Joseph Mössmer, Thomas Ender and Franz Steinfeld. He exhibited since early years on Exhibitions of Academy to St.Anna and later in the 1860-s - by Vienna Artist Union. Since 1861 - member of this union. Lauer is the last renown representative of Vienna Biedermeier Epoche, he developed and continued the tradition of Drechsler still life school . His paintings arrive very high estimates by intenational auctions.

Other works by this artist you can see under item numbers 446 and 1189.

Literature: Prof.H.Fuchs "Austrian Artists", Vienna, 1975;

Inscription: signed and dated 1838 on the back of stretcher.

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

Measurements: unframed w 21 1/4 " x h 24 1/23 " (54 x 62 cm), framed w 29 1/8 " x h 33 " (74 x 84 cm )

Condition: in very good condition