Adolf Stademann (German, 1824-1895) Painting of "Figures Skating"

Born to Ferdinand Stademann in Munich June 19, 1824, Adolf studied under Lebschée and Lotze, working the majority of his career in Munich. He specialized in landscape and genre scenes, but focused primarily on nostalgic winterscapes, often capturing moments of children skating on canals and ponds, winter scenes of towns covered in snow and similar inspirations. His work is an interesting balance between the warmth of a fond childhood memory and the darkness of the ending day, a large body of his work capturing dusk as the last lights glimmer over the horizon. The present example is a fine rendering of figures skating on a lake with just a hint of the village peering through in the distance, the foreground with groves of trees flanking the skaters and bystanders as the sun sets centrally over the water. It is housed in an early frame with gilded acorn leaves and flowers around the edge and a high burnish silver leaf molding. The painting was executed on what appears to be an old cigar box lid, the mahogany impressed in ink on the back “El Tino BYM Habana”. It remains apparently untouched and preserved under glass, the surface with two light abrasions that could certainly be restored without much difficulty by a conservator. A fine and moving little scene.

Measurements: 13 7/8” W x 9 3/4” H [frame]; 8 1/4” W x 3 3/4” H [sight]

Condition Report:
Surface abrasions (two central figures, wooded grove to left) and very light edge wear. Early frame with discoloration, gesso cracking and wear as expected. Under UV appears to be without any restoration.