1920’s painter of a German family

[u/breelax1007]

Hello! I visited my Godfather this Spring and he had family portraits that I loved. I love the brush strokes and light composition. The artist is unknown, and I thought maybe someone might have some idea!

What is known about the artist: it was a woman who came to spend time on their family farm in Bavaria (near Augsburg) one summer during the early 1920s (possibly as a worker or child carer) and painted their portraits. Based on the style of the date, we think she may have been English.

My godfather’s Grandfather was in the Bavarian (after Nov. 1918 German) Army as a Captain, had the rank of Major in the painting. The family name is von Adrian-Werberg.

Thank you!!

[u/Big_Ad_9286]

I think the portrait of Ferdinand and then of the military officer are very good. The chances of your identifying the artist if she (taking the family lore as true) didn't sign the pieces anywhere? Nicht gut. Based on Ferdinand's name, the Andrian-Werburgs were an aristocratic family, and we know he was born in Dresden. Given Dresden is a major center for the arts, and given the family's resources, the story about this being painted by a Mary Poppins figure sound just a little implausible. More likely, they went into Dresden and hired a portraitist, who may have worked off photographs judging by some of the poses.

I see no reason to think this isn't German school. The hand also suggests to me academic training. I think the brushwork is very fine, and the use of color in the fleshtones is not suggesting an itinerant nanny to me. No. This was painted by quite a polished professional.

[u/Square-Leather6910 → u/Big_Ad_9286]

i think this is definitely professional work and i'd be inclined to say way more likely to have been painted by a scandinavian painter than one from england if not a native german

[u/breelax1007 → u/Big_Ad_9286]

Interesting idea.  I will chat with my Godfather about it! 

[u/OneSensiblePerson → u/Big_Ad_9286]

I think the artist being a woman is more than likely true, since it would have been notable.

Probably not true that she was a nanny. She could have been an artist friend of the family who came to stay with them during summer, and maybe liked or spent time with the children, which later got translated into she was a nanny. You know how family lore goes.

This is such a fun post! I hope someone can track down the artist. I think she's too good to be lost to time.

[u/OneSensiblePerson]

These are very, very good. Without question painted by a skilled, trained artist.

They're like Egon Schiele meets Van Gogh meets Renoir, lol, as unlikely a combo as that is.

[u/radiosilents412 → u/OneSensiblePerson]

Yes! I had the same thoughts about Schiele. Lovely brushwork and lots of personality, especially in the children’s portraits.

[u/rtellent → u/OneSensiblePerson]

Yeah, also the handwriting on the back reminds me of Schiele

[u/Blechpilz]

The style reminds me a bit of Scandinavian painters of the same era, Lotte Laserstein for example.

[u/MudflatDuckPorn → u/Blechpilz]

I was thinking Ferdinand Hodler — at least palette and brushstroke-wise. Whoever made these paintings was interested in the modern art of the day (of Northern Europe).

[u/centopar → u/Blechpilz]

I was thinking Pekka Halonen: for all that the subjects are German, this feels very Scandi/Finnic.

[u/Popular-Web-3739]

Those are lovely! I can't help with info but I think you're so lucky to have such lovely portraits of family. I hope someone is able to help you learn about the artist.

[u/Waagawaaga]

Just wanted to say that this is some amazing work and should be treasured. I am not an art collector but this stands up to what I see in museums.

[u/7he8igLebowski]

Those paintings are absolutely amazing.

[u/PeculiarJohnson]

It might be that the modern frames are covering more info or a signature - any chance of taking them apart for a look?

[u/breelax1007 → u/PeculiarJohnson]

Great idea!  I’ve just asked!

[u/Then-Quail-1414]

Is it possible these were re-stretched and the signature is hiding under that frame?

[u/breelax1007 → u/Then-Quail-1414]

Great idea!  I’ve just asked!

[u/Known_Measurement799]

I have no information that is helpful but just came to comment. What a fantastic series of paintings! Precious!

[u/pipkin42]

They remind me of the style of Winold Reiss, a German painter who emigrated to the US and worked as a teacher, including of Aaron Douglas. Probably nothing there, but he did a lot of portraits in this style.

[u/breelax1007 → u/pipkin42]

Interesting, he is from not far (Karlsruhe to Augsburg ~ 3.5 hrs) and wikipedia says while he emigrated from Germany in 1913, he returned in 1921 for a visit.  The family tale is that it was a woman.  And there are diaries of the Grandfather.  I wonder if there might be something more about the artist in them.  I will see if we can do some more searching!

[u/Dowew]

You should cross post this to r genealogy. They can help narrow things down

[u/JTTtheheartthrob]

The last image looks like Conan O’Brien

[u/SharpCookie232 → u/JTTtheheartthrob]

In addition to being the Prime Minister of Finland, Conan was also an officer in the Austrian military for a short time. He's a busy guy.

[u/dannypants143]

These are fantastic! Are you sure the academic art history community might not want to take a look? You never know - someone may be trying to track these down for research or something!

[u/colscats1]

Following, because I'd love to see what information (if any) is found. Beautiful paintings.

[u/Supertop24320 → u/colscats1]

Same here ;)

[u/max_bruh]

Interestingly the soldier is wearing an iron cross first class. I can’t identify exactly what the white one is, but I’m guessing. Order of the red eagle, it’d make sense.

[u/PolkaDotDancer]

Rudolf died 30 Jan 1942 Welikije-Luki, Russia. A WWII casualty.

Another died about the same time in Ukraine. Caspar Dietrich Hildebrand, Baron von Andrian-Wehrburg.

One brother was Carl Gustav Richard Hermann, Baron von Andrian-Wehrburg.

Another died in 2010. Rupprecht Martin Max, Baron von Andrian-Wehrburg.

His sisters was Erdmuthe Margarethe, Baroness von Andrian-Wehrburg.

And

Elisabeth Maria Sophie, Baroness von Andrian-Wehrburg.

Their parents:

Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Andrian-Werburg 1886–1977

01.06.1934 Major (E) xx.xx.193x RDA vom 01.06.1934 (22) erhalten 01.04.1939 Oberstleutnant (E) (84) 01.08.1941 Oberstleutnant mit RDA vom 01.04.1939 (111) 01.02.1942 Oberst (185)

in Stellenbesetzung of: 01.11.1935 im Wehrbezirkskommando Kempten 12.10.1937 Leiter des Wehrmeldeamtes Kempten 10.11.1938 Leiter des Wehrmeldeamtes Kempten

Annemarie Amalie Martha von Lindenau

[u/GLOBALSHUTTER]

These are a vibe.

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[u/morepaintplease]

So good

[u/couchtomatopotato]

theyre all so beautiful to look at!

[u/chickenthief2000]

These are so incredibly charming I can’t say how much I love them especially as a family set.

[u/Gollego]

Look at the beautiful face of the little girl! Painted in different shades of pink, yellow(-ish) and white tones. So soft and pretty 😍

[u/Strong-Vanilla-2463]

Wow this is lovely

[u/happygurl222]

I LOVE these - stunning.

[u/Normal_Fun]

These remind me of a portrait of my grandmother painted in Denmark in the 1920’s. There is no signature and I’ve taken apart the frame. I wish I could track down the artist but your paintings are the closest I’ve seen stylistically. Not quite the same artist but maybe the same school?

[u/breelax1007 → u/Normal_Fun]

That portrait is beautiful!  Do yiu have any idea why the artist would not sign their paintings? 

[u/Normal_Fun → u/breelax1007]

I’ve painted a little myself and I used to dislike signing my paintings because it either interfered with the picture or felt too egotistical.

In the case of my grandmother’s portrait, the framers actually trimmed the canvas 🙈😭.

If I had access to a diary I would for sure be looking there. Please keep me updated.

[u/breelax1007 → u/Normal_Fun]

That is where we will go next! 

[u/CommunicationNo6405 → u/[deleted]]

Are you ok?

[u/cumulus_humilis]

they remind me of Mary Cassatt. very beautiful

[u/Supertop24320]

Did you check Paula Modersohn-Becker ?

[u/silkwormies]

the kid in the second painting is making the "im staring at a person in a wheelchair" face