German genre scene in a tavern in the style of genre paintings of Nicolaus Michael Spengler (1700-1776). This painting on the oval porcelain plaque was executed by renowned porcelain painter Bernhard Magnus in 1771 (signed and dated). Magnus was one of the most renowned porcelain painters at the German Frankenthal porcelain manufactory. He distinguished himself through his virtuoso paintings of battle and genre scenes. His designs were based, for example, on works by Philips Wouwerman and David Teniers the Younger. A solitaire piece in the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer depicts peasant scenes painted by Magnus. The accompanying tray shows a peasant feast in front of an inn. It is signed "Magnus 1773". The original painting is by David Teniers the Younger. Some of his other pieces are marked "BM," "BM p(inxt)," or "Bernhard Magnus”.
He must have been born around 1745. He trained as a porcelain painter at the Höchst Porcelain Manufactory, where he is recorded as a painter's apprentice in 1759. When Elector Karl Theodor took over the Frankenthal Porcelain Manufactory in 1762, he transferred there. From 1762 to 1798, he worked as a porcelain painter at the Frankenthal Porcelain Manufactory. He was godfather to the children of the equally renowned Frankenthal porcelain painters Christian Winterstein and Jacob Osterspey. In addition to his primary work as a porcelain painter, he is recorded in 1780 as the drawing master of the Elector's female philanthropist in Frankenthal. In 1798, he was retired and was to receive a pension of 10 florins. However, he died on March 12, 1798.

Literature: in German: Wikipedia in on-line; Hurkey, Edgar: ”Die Kunst Porzellan zu machen, Frankenthaler Porzellan 1755-1800”, Frankenthal 2005.

Inscription: signed and dated Magnus 1771, lower left.

Technique: oil on oval porcelain plaque, original bronze frame with a stand.

Measurements: unframed w 5 1/2" x x h 5 1/4" ( 14 x 13,5 cm), framed 7 1/4" x 10 7/8" (18,5 x 17,5 cm).

Condition: good.