Lot 326
Szobanya, Mihaly. Portrait of a Young Shepherd, 1881. 19th Century masterwork by Hungarian artist, Mihaly Szobanya, born in 1855 at Nemes-Oroszi and died 1898 in Budapest. He studied at the Ecole de Nagyanya, the Hungarian equivalent to the Ecole de Barbizon of France. Principally known as pleinair painters, they borrowed from the reality painting of Gustav Courbet and the Impressionists with the basic character of Szobanya's work characterized by his frequent comparison to the great Courbet. Offered is Szobanya's "Portrait of a Young Shepherd" painted in 1881. This captivating painting is in fine condition with no conspicuous or disfiguring conditions present except for some typical cracking of the paint, and some minor "tarring" or bleeding of the poppyseed oil substrate of the canvas, all very typical of a painting of this vintage. Painting is on a mortised stretcher bar assembly with all mortis keys present. Twentieth Century nails (estimate 1940) hold the canvas in place within the frame. Canvas could use, eventually, tightening along the right side from top downward to bottom. A museum inventory label appears on the stretcher bar "Ernst Muzeum FKC101 (not entirely legible.) Another reads "Dorotheum, W. Dorottya, Szobanya with the Dorotheum an established auction gallery in Wien, Austria. Also written in top center "Menhur Gyrum, Munchen, 1883.) Also other numbers and dates along stretcher bar including 91 10S F and dated 1940.
"Portrait of a Young Shepherd" is signed and dated in red at lower right of canvas. A beautiful portrait in deep, saturated colors rendered in a spectrum of minutely calibrated tints with a beautiful command of light and shadow playing off the boy for dramatic effect. Painting is large, measures 43" x 35" with original gilt wood frame measuring 53" x 47" Frame given its 125+ years has chips, dings and scrapes but still supremely appealing and appropriate to the work. Portrait was appraised and cataloged by the esteemed William and Catherine Hemmerdinger Gallery in Palm Desert in October, 1994, in a 12 page document which will convey with the piece. Appraisal at the time was $42,000.00. Buyer responsible for third party shipping.
Estimated Value $17,500-UP.
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