Otto Eerelman

Two Borzois by Otto Eerelman

circa 1880

Alexander Koester 1864-1932 German Ducklings and a Mother Hen Signed "A. Koester" (lower left) Oil on canvas Esteemed German artist Alexander Koester was known for his charming p...

Eugen von Blaas Italian I 1843-1932 No Love Without Envy Signed and dated "Eugen von Blaas 1901" (lower right) Oil on canvas Eugen von Blaas masterfully captured the spirit and charm of Venice, and No Love Without Envy stands as one of his most exceptional compositions. Larger and more finely detailed than many of his works, this grand painting reflects his unparalleled mastery of light, color and narrative. Rich in detail and emotion, this scene is believed to feature a stylized self-portrait of the artist alongside his wife, Paola Prina. Set in a sun-drenched Venetian courtyard, the composition brims with life and intrigue. At its center, an orange seller—modeled by Prina—engages in a flirtatious exchange with an admirer, the artist himself, while three onlookers observe with amusement and envy. The interplay of light and texture is remarkable: von Blaas' exquisite brushwork renders the delicate lace, sumptuous fabrics and intricately adorned garments with near-photographic precision, while the soft flesh tones contrast beautifully against the timeworn stonework of Venice. This attention to detail, combined with the work’s luminous palette, creates a sense of immediacy and warmth that defines the best of von Blaas' Venetian genre paintings. Born in 1843 to Austrian parents in Italy, von Blaas was raised in a household steeped in artistic tradition. His father, Karl Blaas, was a renowned portraitist and history painter, while his brother specialized in military scenes. When Karl was appointed professor at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts, the family relocated to the floating city—a move that profoundly shaped von Blaas’ artistic vision. Though he studied in Rome, Vienna and Paris, it was Venice that remained his greatest muse. Captivated by its light, architecture and everyday moments of romance and social interplay, he became the foremost painter of Venetian genre scenes. During Venice’s Austrian rule, von Blaas adopted the Italianized name “Eugene de Blaas...

The Martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch in the Circus during the Celebrations for Emperor Trajan - Russian School of the Mid-19th Century Signed on the lower right. TITOV? Dated 1...

Signed and dated '1901' lower left