Carl Herpfer (German, 1836-1897) The christening party image 1

Carl Herpfer (German, 1836-1897) The christening party image 2

Lot 34^*

Carl Herpfer
(German, 1836-1897)
The christening party

19th Century and British Impressionist Art

21 – 22 September 2022, 14:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £7,650 inc. premium

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Carl Herpfer (German, 1836-1897)

The christening party
signed and inscribed 'Carl Herpfer/München' (lower right)
oil on canvas
95 x 144cm (37 3/8 x 56 11/16in).

Footnotes

Born in 1836 in a town near Munich, Carl Herpfer studied at the Royal Academy of Art in Munich alongside, among others, Johann von Schraudolph and Karl von Piloty. Despite his tutors encouraging him to follow the academic school of history painting, Herpfer made a name for himself with elaborate genre scenes revolving around domestic events of bourgeois society.

Highly accurate in its depiction of the 19th century interior, the present painting is replete with the details of costumes, fabrics, furniture, paintings and all the other trappings of a richly decorated interior - it is a feast for the eyes. As well as all of the inanimate interest, the scene is filled with characters of all ages and social rank within the household. Herpfer has captured individual's emotions, but also the relationships and interactions between different members of the group. This work highlights both Herpfer's quality as an artist and his imagination, but also his ability to imbue a scene with genuine interest and drama.

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