Oil on canvas, relined
Germany, late 18th Century
Attributed to Anton Wilhelm Tischbein (1730 - 1804) – German painter
Overall dimensions, framed: 110 x 171.5 cm
Provenance: German private collection
The ‘Hanau Tischbein’ was an exquisite portrait painter. Portraits attributed to Anton Wilhelm Tischbein fetch up more than 40,000s euros on the international market

The present portrait of two sisters is attributed to the German painter Anton Wilhelm Tischbein. The composition, as well as the clothes and hairstyles of the characters suggest a dating to the late 18th century. The intimate sisters’ portrait is not only characterized by an accomplished brushwork, but also by a high decorative quality.



The painting is well presented, showing some wear marks. The canvas has been relined. Inspection under UV light reveals some areas of retouching to the flesh tones of the sisters and the background. The varnish is clean. The overall dimensions, framed, are 110 x 171.5 cm. The stretcher measures 39 x 46 cm.

Anton Wilhelm Tischbein (1730 -1804)

Born in Haina, Anton Wilhelm Tischbein descended from the German family of artists Tischbein. He was also called ‘Hanauer Tischbein’ and had four brothers, who were also painters, including the famous Johann Heinrich Tischbein the Elder. Anton Wilhelm's first teacher was his brother Johann Valentin Tischbein. In 1753, he began his studies at the Academy in The Hague. In 1769, he became court painter to Prince William in Hanau. He there contributed to the building of the Academy of Drawing from 1772. He painted family members of the prince, and wealthy patricians from Frankfurt. Moreover, Tischbein executed paintings of mythological content, and mostly small-sized cabinet pieces. As a decorative painter, Anton Wilhelm adorned, for example, the pleasure palace Wilhelmsbad in Hanau.