Édouard Frédéric Wilhelm Richter (German, 1844-1913) The favourite image 1

Édouard Frédéric Wilhelm Richter (German, 1844-1913) The favourite image 2

Lot 29^*

Édouard Frédéric Wilhelm Richter
(German, 1844-1913)
The favourite

Orientalist Art

14 – 15 June 2022, 15:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £38,100 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our 19th Century & Orientalist Paintings specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Leo Webster

Senior Specialist

Tel: +441312402632

[email protected]

Édouard Frédéric Wilhelm Richter (German, 1844-1913)

The favourite
signed 'E. Richter' (lower left)
oil on canvas
50.5 x 75.5cm (19 7/8 x 29 3/4in).

Footnotes

Edouard Richter was born in Paris in 1844, and began his training at the Hague Academy of Fine Art. He then studied in Belgium, before returning to Paris to enrol at the Academie des Beaux-Arts under the tutelage of Ernest Hebert and Leon Bonnat. Between 1860-1870 his subjects tended to be portraits and genre scenes, however he showed an early interest in Orientalism as his 1866 submission to the Paris Salon was entitled Orientale à la Fontaine, Alger. In 1883 he became a permanent member of the Society of French Artists – a contemporary, Louis du Seigneur, noted his 'palette of precious gems'.

Upon moving more firmly into Orientalism, Richter's carefully conceived compositions were often sensual depictions of harems, and his work was characterised by precise architectural and ethnographic details. In the present lot the artist shows features of the Maure architecture of the Alhambra. This attention to detail can also be seen in the costumes of the seated women which resemble the Kat fabrics, as worn by noble society in Algeria at the end of the 19th century and have their origins in traditional Algerian Karabou art.

Opulent interiors such as this which define Richter's Orientalist period, were much admired by his Parisian contemporaries, in particular the Austrian and German artists who had settled in the French capitol such as Ludwig Deutsch and Rudolf Ernst.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- 19th Century & Orientalist Paintings