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Learn MoreDucklings and a Mother Hen by Alexander Koester
- This oil on canvas by Alexander Koester captures a charming gathering of ducklings around a hen
- Animal portraits from this renowned painter are beloved for their extraordinary personality
- The artist was a virtuoso at capturing texture and light with his impressionistic brushwork
- Today, his animal paintings remain among the most popular of their genre
- Get complete item description here
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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 paintings of animals, and this stunning oil exemplifies his extraordinary skill. Here, a delightful gathering of fresh ducklings surrounds a motherly hen in a hay-filled barn. Koester's brushstrokes perfectly capture the feathery birds and heaps of straw, creating a soft, inviting texture across the. . .
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 paintings of animals, and this stunning oil exemplifies his extraordinary skill. Here, a delightful gathering of fresh ducklings surrounds a motherly hen in a hay-filled barn. Koester's brushstrokes perfectly capture the feathery birds and heaps of straw, creating a soft, inviting texture across the surface. The artist expertly imbues the animals with lively personalities and evokes a peaceful view of rural life in his native Germany.
Born in 1864, Koester first trained to become an apothecary rather than an artist, according to his parents' wishes. However, his passion for painting soon drove him away from the field, and he found a place studying under the genre painters Karl Hoff and Claus Meyer. During this period, he traveled extensively, making sketches that served as the basis for his genre paintings and composing portraits to earn his living.
A turning point in his career came in 1891 after his first visit to Klausen in Southern Tyrol. He would return to this picturesque town time and time again, eventually settling there from 1896 to 1915. Working directly from nature, he devoted his time to the subject for which he is best remembered today: the duck. Koester’s years in Klausen were undoubtedly the most creative of his career, and his scenic water landscapes earned him considerable recognition during his lifetime. He was awarded a gold medal at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 and was later granted another gold medal by Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria. Today, he remains known as Enten-Koester for his beloved duck portraits, which are among the finest animal paintings of their period.
Early 20th century
Canvas: 20 1/4" high x 28 1/4" wide (51.44 x 71.76 cm)
Frame: 27" high x 35" wide x 2" deep (68.58 x 88.90 x 5.08 cm)
Provenance:
Private Collection, United States, after 1945
Private Collection, United States, by descent from above
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Maker: | Koester, Alexander |
Period: | 1816-1918 |
Origin: | Germany |
Type: | Paintings |
Style: | Post-Impressionism |
Depth: | 2.0 in. (5.08 cm) |
Width: | 35.0 in. (88.9 cm) |
Height: | 27.0 in. (68.58 cm) |
Canvas Width: | 28.250 in. (71.76 cm) |
Canvas Height: | 20.250 in. (51.44 cm) |
Animal Instincts: British Animal Painters
The depiction of animals in an artwork is as old as humanity itself. Some of the earliest representations are those found in the cave paintings of our ancestors, particularly about to hunting and...
Read MoreAt M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn More