Fedor Encke (German, 1851-1926), painting on board of Edward Stieglitz, 1884. Signed and dated in upper right corner (Fedor Encke / Berlin / 1-1-1884). A realistic portrait of a sophisticated, mature male in a profile pose and 3/4 view, sitting on a mahogany wood chair with a lion finial peeking over the sitter's shoulder. The sitter strikes a very strong resemblance to Fedor Encke's full-length portrait of Edward Stieglitz (1879) which is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/64735.html). Edward Stieglitz (German, 1833-1909) was the father of Alfred Stieglitz (American, 1864-1946), a renowned 20th century photographer and art dealer who was married to artist Georgia O'Keeffe (American, 1887-1986). Edward was also an artist - a very successful Impressionist painter. Interestingly, there are great stylistic parallels between Edward's paintings - with their atmospheric effects, soft handling of architecture, and emphasis on the flat the picture plane - and Alfred's Pictorialist approach to photography. Size: 10.625" L x 8" W (27 cm x 20.3 cm); 14.875" L x 12.125" W (37.8 cm x 30.8 cm) framed

Fedor Encke was a German artist, known for his portraiture. Several of his works have sold at auction, including "Portrait of J. Pierpont Morgan" which sold at Christie's New York in 2015 for $32,500. An artist biography label, written in German, on the verso of this painting lists several of Encke's accomplishments, including his study with Karl Gussow as well as additional art studies in Rome and Paris; honorable mention at the Berlin Arts Academy; and a list of several works: Portrait of Robert Hausmann, Portrait of Fritz Werner, and Portrait of General J.B. Woodward.

As for Edward Stieglitz, he was born in Berlin, Germany in 1833, immigrated to New York City as a young man, thrived in the artistic community, and exhibited at the Society of Independent Artists. Many of his works are in the collection of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum in Oklahoma. Interestingly, Encke also painted a portrait of Edward's daughter, Flora Stieglitz, in the 1880s, which is also in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/64827.html).

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection

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#135973

One scratch at top center probably made during painting process; note the deliberate scratched outline of the back of the sitter's coiffure. Otherwise excellent. Signed and dated in upper right corner (Fedor Encke / Berlin / 1-1-1884). Label on verso with biography of Fedor Encke written in German. Another old label lists this painting for $5400.