Anselm Feuerbach
Portrait of a Young Woman in Profile
Chalk in black and white on blue tinted paper with watermark (coat of arms shield with high crown). 35.4 x 24.5 cm.
Unframed.
Monogrammed centre left: AF.
This drawing, which has not yet been published in Feuerbach's literature, depicts a young woman with thick, black hair in profile, supporting her head with her left hand. It is a gesture that can be interpreted as a sign of reflection or longing and can be found in numerous works by Feuerbach - in the ‘Spring Picture’ from 1868 in the Berlin National Gallery, for example, or the marvellous study head for the Stuttgart Iphigenia from 1870.
Feuerbach's muse and wife Anna Risi, known as Nanna, probably served as the model for these female figures. Her classic profile, full black hair and beautiful, well-proportioned figure corresponded perfectly to Feuerbach's ideal of beauty. ‘Nanna's’ facial features and appearance characterise the entire female repertoire of the artist's paintings and drawings in these years.
The particular charm of this drawing lies in the spontaneous recording of what is observed: The lustre of the dark hair due to the light coming in from the left and the slightly shadowed face with the closed eyes, capturing an intimate moment of pause and contemplation.
Fig. 1: Anselm Feuerbach, Spring Painting, Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin © bpk / Nationalgalerie, SMB / Andres Kilger.
Provenance
Private collection. - Weinmüller, Munich, 15.-17.05.1957, Lot 1162, ill. pl. 60 (as "Kopf einer jungen Frau"). - 1957 Art trade Germany (acquired from the aforementioned). -Werner Collection, Vienna, Deposit Albertina, Vienna.
Literature
Kirchner, Heckel, Nolde. Die Sammlung Werner, exh.-cat. Albertina, Vienna, 1.6.-26.8.2012, ill. p. 7.