Heinrich Bürkel
Blacksmiths in a Mountain Village
Oil on canvas. 40 x 57 cm.
Signed and dated lower right: HBÜRKEL 1830.
Between 1827 and 1857, i.e. over the course of three decades, Heinrich Bürkel painted around 20 pictures on the theme of "Blacksmiths in the Mountains" (Catalogue raisonné no. 176-185). Our version, painted in 1830, is one of the earlier ones. They are characterised by the fact that the building of the forge, the animals and the figures are brought closer to the viewer and the painter devotes greater attention to the entire staffage and the activity in the forge. Later, the relationship will shift in favour of the landscape section and the forge will become more of a detail in the overall composition.
This early work - the painter was just 28 years old at the time - shows the origins of Bürkel's artistic roots and his orientation towards Philips Wouwerman, the 17th century Dutchman whose paintings were particularly highly regarded in the late 18th century. Bürkel built on this tradition, but the light in his pictures and the motifs from the rural mountain world of Bavaria reveal the innovations of the early 19th century.
Provenance
Private collection G. Gleuck, Munich. - Hugo Helbing, Auction of New Masters, Munich, 9-10 July 1935, lot 7 (990 RM). - Private collection Gossner. - Hugo Ruef, Munich 19-21 June 1996, lot 1127.
Literature
Weltkunst, vol. IX, no. 29/30, 28 July 1935, p. 5 - L. von Buerkel: Heinrich Bürkel. Ein Malerleben der Biedermeierzeit, Munich 1940, no. 59 (erroneously stating that the painting was exhibited at the Kunstverein München in 1829). - Hans-Peter Bühler a. Albrecht Krückl: Heinrich Bürkel. Mit Werkverzeichnis der Gemälde, Munich 1989, no. 179, illus. p. 243.