Ludwig von Hofmann:
Tanzfries. 1912. Oil on canvas., 84,5 x 174,5 cm (33.2 x 68.7 in). Estimate: € 30 000-50 000

Closeness to the 'Munich Highlights' also played a role in picking the auction‘s date, in order to make sure that visitors to the fair have the opportunity to see the works in the preview exhibition. After outstanding results in the first half year, with an average increase of more than 50 per cent for each lot sold, it would be more than a pity to miss out on the exciting offers in the autumn auction. And indeed, the auction of Old Masters and Art of the 19th Century in Munich on 29 October 2010 will definitely attract art lovers, traders and investors from all over the world.

1) Art of the 19th Century

Next to Ludwig von Hofmann‘s round of gracile dancing beauties from 1912 (estimate: € 30 000-50 000), the idyllic rural scene of a "Strickende Bäuerin mit Buben" [Knitting Countrywoman with Boy] by Franz von Defregger heads this section. The estimate for this painting from a private Italian collection is at € 40 000-60 000. Two further works by the Tyrolean artist originate from the same collection, that is "Bauernporträt" from around 1900 (estimate: € 6 000-8 000), as well as "Tiroler Mädchen" from the 1890s. The latter has been estimated at € 15 000-20 000.

Edouard Léon Cortès takes us into the bustling metropolis Paris with his two oil paintings of the "Place de la Madelaine", in which he captures the winter atmosphere of the snow-covered square just as masterly as the same place after an evening rain. Each of the two paintings, both in a size of 22 x 33 cm, will be called up at € 18 000-24 000.

Other works with the same estimates are the oil painting "Bei der Heuernte" by Adolf Heinrich Lier from 1850 and Edward Theodore Compton's "Blick auf den Großglockner vom Großen Wiesbachhorn" from 1919. An identical motif can be observed on a work made just one year earlier, which is in possession of the 'Österreichischer Alpenverein' [Austrian Alpine Club] in Innsbruck. Two watercolors by Compton could be obtained for as little as € 1 500-2 000 each. The potential buyer can choose between the two landscapes "Blick auf den Zeller See" and "Blick auf den Plattenthurm".

Two works by Friedrich Wilhelm Kuhnert deliver proof of the artist’s poise and sensitive observation of nature. The two oil paintings, made between 1902 and 1910, are fragments of a large work showing a circus arena. Unfortunately, the painting was partly damaged in World War II, as two typographed inscriptions dated 1942 on verso indicate. While the estimate for "Drei Zirkuslöwen" is at 15 000-20 000, "Zwei Zirkuslöwen" can perhaps be acquired for just € 12 000-16 000.

Highlights of 19th century French landscape paintings come, among others, from Stanislas Lépine ("Landschaft mit Pferdefuhrwerk", estimate: € 15 000-20 000), Jules Achille Noël ("Hafen an der Bretagne", estimate: € 9 000-12 000), Henri Joseph Harpignies ("Angler am Flussufer", estimate: € 3 000-3 500) and Eugène Isabey ("Alte Mühle", estimate: € 3 500-4 000). Particularly worthwhile mentioning is the School of Barbizon, which is represented with works by Paul Désiré Trouillebert ("Flussufer", estimate: € 12 000-16 000), Jules Louis Dupré ("Chaumière au bord de la mare, avec vaches a l'abreuvoir", estimate: € 12 000-16 000 and "Chaumière au bord de la mare avec paysanne assise", estimate: € 8 000-10 000) as well as Charles-Emile Jacque ("Hühnerhof", estimate: € 3 000-4 000).

2) Old Masters

Samuel van Hoogstraten
Die Darbringung im Tempel. Mid 17th century. 22 x 17,7 cm (8.6 x 6.9 in)
Estimate: € 10 000-15 000

Among the highlights of this section is "Landschaft mit Flusslauf" [Landscape With River] a rather large work in a size of 123,5 x 158,5 cm (48.6 x 62.4 in) by an anonymous Flemish artist. Made in the early to mid 17th century, the work will be called up with an estimate of € 18 000-24 000.

Roundabout the same amount would have to be paid for the series of 80 sheets "Los Caprichos" by Francisco de Goya, in which he exercised his criticism of church, politics and state in an exaggerated surreal and capricious manner. In the series of 80 aquatint etchings called "Los desastres de la guerra", made between 1812 and 1820, the same artist addresses the atrocities of war. This work has been estimated at € 12 000-15 000.

A work by Samuel van Hoogstraten makes for another highlight. His feather drawing "Die Darbringung im Tempel" was made in the mid 17th century and has an excellent provenance and exhibition history, with previous owners such as Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, Jacob de Vos Jacobszoon and the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, to name but a few. The estimate of € 10 000-15 000 is definitely going to be capped.

A range of graphic works worthwhile mentioning comprises artists such as Lucas van Leyden, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Jusepe de Ribera called Lo Spagnoletto and Georg Friedrich Schmidt.

* The percentage value indicates the relation between the starting price (limit) and the hammer price