Laux, August (American, 1847-1921) Painting. “Boutonniere.” Oil on wood panel. Signed lower left A. Laux and retains a brass plaque A. Laux. Has an old framers label on the back Max Rosenstein Art Shop Philadelphia. In good condition, the painting has been cleaned with all over inpainted craquelure. Measures 10 ” x 13 ”. The original frame measures 14” x 17”.

From Askart.com: Born in the Rhineland area of Germany, August Laux became noted for his richly colored, precisely rendered floral still lifes and genre scenes; although early in his career his reputation was for frescoes and decorative painting. His parents were French and relatives held high government positions in Strausburg. A cousin and one of his uncles were sculptors in Paris, and with exposure from childhood to persons creative in the arts, Laux followed this path. He emigrated to New York City with his parents in 1863 and began studying sculpture, but in 1867 switched to painting, enrolling in classes in the National Academy of Design. He first exhibited there in 1870, and three years later accepted a commission to paint the scenery for a private club in Manhattan. This mural received such acclaim that he became much sought after for frescoes and other decorations in public buildings as well as private homes of wealthy persons including financiers Jay Gould and Andrew Garvey. After 1880, he turned to still life and genre painting, which he continued until his death in Brooklyn in 1921. His work is in the Brooklyn Historical Society.

American art gallery.org: German born August Laux achieved a considerable reputation in the 1870s for his frescoes and decorative paintings, but switched to genre scenes and still lifes a decade later. His work, always traditional in style, was highly regarded in his day but forgotten soon after his death. He was born in the Pfalz area of the Rhineland in 1847 to French parents. Members of his mother's family held important positions in the government of Strasburg; one of his uncles and a cousin were sculptors in Paris. One story has it that, during a visit to his uncle's studio while he was a child, the young Laux took a mallet and a chisel to try his hand at sculpting, unbeknown to his elders, and managed to ruin a work in progress. True or not, the boy did show an aptitude for sculpting and was encourage to work in clay. Soon after his parents emigrated to New York City in 1863, he begun studying sculpture. In 1867, however, he switched to painting and enrolled in classes at the National Academy of Design. His first painting was exhibited there in 1870. Three years later Laux was commissioned to paint the scenery for the private theater of a club in Manhattan. The results were so successful that he was soon much in demand for frescoes and decorations in hotel and other buildings, as well as in such magnificent private homes as those of financier Jay Gould and Andrew Garvey. Laux turned to genre painting, still lifes, and landscape sketches after 1880. He continued to work in this vein until his death in Brooklyn in 1921.