Lot 6 Dα

In 1854/1855, Michael Neher travelled along the Rhine river and to Flanders, where he painted some of his most significant works. According to Günther Meier, the present view of Leuven was also painted around this time. It is remarkable for its large format and its complex perspective, which brings together both the imposing late Gothic town hall and the church of St Peter on the other side of the ‘Grote Markt’ in a harmonious composition.

The work also features an impressive array of figures: We can see sentries observing two women walking past on the left, and beside them a priest is shown talking to a little girl, whilst the marketplace in the background is alive with merchants, adults and children walking about. In the front right we also see an amusing scene of a house move or estate sale.

Three years later, Neher painted a slightly amended version of this composition that appeared at auction in Antwerp in June of this year. In the work, the artist has moved slightly further back with his easel and included some slightly different figures.

The work will be included in the forthcoming Michael Neher catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Günter Meier.