Peder Mørk Mønsted
Niveous Winter Forest in Sunlight.
Oil on canvas. 1908
120 x 200 cm (47.2 x 78.7 in).
Estimate € 60.000-80.000

Munich, 29 April 2013, (kk) – New to the market and of an extraordinary quality – that accounts for the 31 objects from a private collection from Luxembourg that will be auctioned by Ketterer Kunst on 14 May, 2013. Most works originate from the 19th century and those who think these days were dull and dreary will be surprised and astonished by the sight of this collection.

Their lucent colors can even compete with works of Modernism, and they are definitely not outshone by French Impressionism, either. In their meditative character they let the observer forget immediately about 21st century's hectic. Whether it's the clear blue sky, the warm winter light or spectacular displays of light and shade - the naturalistic, almost photorealistic style in combination with a remarkable brush handling and color concept brings to live the magic and lust for life of these bygone times.

With a sure eye for quality the collection was compiled over years. Those who will fall for its charm will benefit from a booming art market and have an excellent opportunity to buy moderately estimated world class works that one would elsewise find only with higher quotations in London or New York.

Next to artists of the Duesseldorf School, the focus is on works by renowned Scandinavian artists such as Hans Andersen Brendekilde, Johan Laurentz Jensen and Peder Mørk Mønsted. The latter was quite fond of southern scenes. He was portraitist of the Greek royal family and went on extensive journeys to Malta, Corsica, Italy and Egypt. But the Danish native also spent some time in Germany. Whether his "Niveous Winter Forest in Sunlight" was painted there or in Denmark remains oblivious; what is sure though is that the charming snow landscape belongs among his masterpieces. Particularly his depictions of nature made Mønsted one of the most famous international landscape painters at the turn of the century. With its dimensions of 120x200 cm (47.2 x78.7 in) the painting counts among the treasured large formats that are very rare on the auction market. The estimate is at € 60.000-80.000.

Collectors with less wall space do not have to do without a work by Mønsted though: With the two oil paintings "Spring Landscape" (24 x 33 cm) and "Tarifa. Sailing Ships near Gibraltar" (12 x 32,8 cm) the collection also offers two extremely charming works in smaller dimensions. Additionally, with estimates of € 5.000-7.000 and € 4.000-6.000 respectively, they are easier on the wallet as well.

Along with two flower still lives by Johan Laurentz Jensen with estimates of € 25.000-35.000 and € 18.000-24.000 respectively, the "Fishing Boy" (estimate: € 15.000-18.000) by Hans Andersen Brendekilde will be at top of the list of desired objects.

The collection's unusual range of offerings is rounded off by, among others, an oil painting from Oswald Achenbach that hasn't been offered on the market since 1967. The idealized landscape illuminated by a light Mediterranean sunlight "Capo d'Orlando between Sorrent and Castellamare" will be called up with an estimate of € 40.000-60.000. Two other captivating oil paintings come from Hugo Mühlig ("Hessenmarkt near Alsfeld", estimate: € 30.000-40.000 and "Musicians Returning Home in Snow", estimate: € 20.000-30.000). Last but not least two monastery views by Carl Georg Adolph Hasenpflug with estimates at € 20.000-35.000 are also worthwhile mentioning.

Other big names in the collection are Michael Peter Ancher, Carl von Blaas, Eugen Felix Prosper Bracht, Leopold Fertbauer, Paul Fischer, Carl Jutz the Elder, Peter Severin Krøyer, Albert Lebourg, Theodor Mattenheimer, Friedrich Eduard Meyerheim and Emilie Preyer.

However, besides the Luxemburg collection, the auction offers numerous other highlights from the 19th century. Next to the "Porträt einer eleganten Dame mit Fächer" by Konstantin Egorovic Makovskij, which will enter the race with an estimate of € 70.000-90.000, the list is led by Oswald Achenbach's "Süditalienische Küstenlandschaft bei Capri" (estimate: € 50.000-60.000) and Willem Koekkoek's "Holländische Stadtansicht2 (estimate: € 40.000-50.000).

Other top lots that will be called up are Andreas Schelfhout's oil painting "Holländische Landschaft mit Blick auf Haarlem" (estimate: € 30.0.00-40.000), a work by Peder Mørk Mønsted ("Sommerlandschaft mit Flussaue", estimate: € 18.000-24.000), Paul Baum's "Bauernhof mit Heuhaufen" (estimate: € 8.000-12.000) and Christian Mali's "Bäuerin und Hirtenjunge mit Rinder-und Schafherde am Seeufer" (estimate: € 7.000-9.000), as well as half a dozen works by Friedrich Voltz and a classic by Alexander Koester ("Enten (Seelandschaft"), estimate: € 45.000-55.000).

Among the Italian artists, it is Antonio Ermolao Paoletti with his "Partie in der Gondel vor Venedig" (estimate: € 18.000-24.000) and Fausto Zonaro's work "In der Sonne" (estimate: € 15.000-20.000) that are especially worthwhile mentioning.

"The Great Happiness" can be found in the department of Old Masters and could be obtained for as little as € 7.000-9.0000. The engraving "Adam and Eve" was also made by Albrecht Dürer and will enter the race with an estimate of € 20.000-30.000.

Three works by Harmensz. Rembrandt van Rijn are very likely to make for exciting bidding. While the two etchings "Huts on a Canal – View of Diemen near Amsterdam" and the rare "Self Portrait with Saber" are each estimated at € 7.000-9.000, the estimate for the extremely attractive work "Rembrandt's Mother with Black Veil" is at € 10.000-15.000.

Catalogs:

Order your free catalog under +49-(0)89-55244-0 or send an e-mail toa.krenski@kettererkunst.de. On top you will receive a free copy of the catalog for the special auction "The Collection Harry Beyer", which takes place on 15 May.

Preview:

Duesseldorf    24-27 April        Berlin     02/03 May
Hamburg        29/30 April           Munich    05-13 May