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Ducks in a Pond by Alexander Koester
- Alexander Koester is one of the great animal painters of art history
- This portrait of ten curious ducks in the water is exemplary of his specialization
- The artist captures the shimmering light on the water and the reeds with impressionistic brushwork
- Today, Koester is best remembered for his scenic duck paintings
- Get complete item description here
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1864-1932 | German
Ducks in a Pond
Signed "A. Koester" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
Alexander Koester is one of the great animal painters of art history, and this portrait of ten curious ducks in the water is exemplary of his specialization. The artist was a virtuoso at capturing not just the charming personalities of his avian subjects but also the overall atmosphere of their environment. Ducks in a Pond. . .
1864-1932 | German
Ducks in a Pond
Signed "A. Koester" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
Alexander Koester is one of the great animal painters of art history, and this portrait of ten curious ducks in the water is exemplary of his specialization. The artist was a virtuoso at capturing not just the charming personalities of his avian subjects but also the overall atmosphere of their environment. Ducks in a Pond displays his impressionistic handling of the brush as he deftly portrays the reflections of light on the surface of the water and the shimmering light and shadows on the ducks' feathers.
Born in Germany in 1864, Koester initially trained to become an apothecary, rather than an artist, as per 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 developed the subject of painting 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 the 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.
Circa 1909–1913
Canvas: 20 3/4" high x 31 2/4" wide (52.71 x 80.65 cm)
Frame: 28 1/4" high x 39 1/2" wide x 1 3/4" deep (71.76 x 100.33 x 4.45 cm)
Provenance:
Private collection, Lower Saxony
Private collection, Southern Germany
Private collection, Southern Germany
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
| Maker: | Koester, Alexander |
| Period: | 1816-1918 |
| Origin: | Germany |
| Type: | Paintings |
| Style: | Post-Impressionism |
| Depth: | 1.75 in. (4.45 cm) |
| Width: | 39.5 in. (100.33 cm) |
| Height: | 28.25 in. (71.76 cm) |
| Canvas Width: | 31.750 in. (80.65 cm) |
| Canvas Height: | 20.750 in. (52.71 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
