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No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
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No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas

  • This monumental work by Eugen von Blaas is one of his very finest
  • The orange seller is modeled by the artist's wife, Prina, and the suitor is the artist himself
  • Eugen von Blaas masterfully captured the spirit and charm of Venice like no other
  • View the Dossier
  • Get complete item description here
$985,000
Item No. 32-0484

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Description
Eugen von Blaas
Italian I 1843-1932

No Love Without Envy

Signed and dated "Eugen von Blaas 1901" (lower right)
Oil on canvas

Eugen von Blaas masterfully captured the spirit and charm of Venice, and No Love Without Envy stands as one of his most exceptional compositions. Larger and more finely detailed than many of his works, this grand painting reflects his unparalleled mastery of light, color and narrative. Rich in detail and. . .
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Eugen von Blaas
Italian I 1843-1932

No Love Without Envy

Signed and dated "Eugen von Blaas 1901" (lower right)
Oil on canvas

Eugen von Blaas masterfully captured the spirit and charm of Venice, and No Love Without Envy stands as one of his most exceptional compositions. Larger and more finely detailed than many of his works, this grand painting reflects his unparalleled mastery of light, color and narrative. Rich in detail and emotion, this scene is believed to feature a stylized self-portrait of the artist alongside his wife, Paola Prina.

Set in a sun-drenched Venetian courtyard, the composition brims with life and intrigue. At its center, an orange seller—modeled by Prina—engages in a flirtatious exchange with an admirer, the artist himself, while three onlookers observe with amusement and envy. The interplay of light and texture is remarkable: von Blaas' exquisite brushwork renders the delicate lace, sumptuous fabrics and intricately adorned garments with near-photographic precision, while the soft flesh tones contrast beautifully against the timeworn stonework of Venice. This attention to detail, combined with the work’s luminous palette, creates a sense of immediacy and warmth that defines the best of von Blaas' Venetian genre paintings.

Born in 1843 to Austrian parents in Italy, von Blaas was raised in a household steeped in artistic tradition. His father, Karl Blaas, was a renowned portraitist and history painter, while his brother specialized in military scenes. When Karl was appointed professor at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts, the family relocated to the floating city—a move that profoundly shaped von Blaas’ artistic vision. Though he studied in Rome, Vienna and Paris, it was Venice that remained his greatest muse. Captivated by its light, architecture and everyday moments of romance and social interplay, he became the foremost painter of Venetian genre scenes.

During Venice’s Austrian rule, von Blaas adopted the Italianized name “Eugene de Blaas” for his local clientele, while retaining “von Blaas” for his Austrian patrons. His works were widely exhibited throughout Europe, including at the Royal Academy, Grafton Gallery and New Gallery between 1875 and 1892, earning him international acclaim. Today, his paintings remain highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike, prized for their technical brilliance and timeless charm.

Katharina Seyffertitz-Blaas has confirmed that this is an autograph work by Eugen von Blaas.

Dated 1901

Canvas: 39 3/4“ high x 47 3/4” wide
Frame: 48 3/8“ high by 56 1/4” wide x 3“ deep

View the Dossier

Provenance:
Rayner MacConnal, London
Private collection, United Kingdom
Acquired from the above in 1952, then by descent
Private collection, United Kingdom
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
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No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
Maker: von Blaas, Eugen
Period: 1816-1918
Origin: Italy
Type: Paintings
Style: Academic
Depth: 3.0 in. (7.62 cm)
Width: 56.25 in. (142.88 cm)
Height: 48.33 in. (122.75 cm)
Canvas Width: 47.750 in. (121.29 cm)
Canvas Height: 39.750 in. (100.97 cm)
No Love Without Envy by Eugene Von Blaas
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Buy with Confidence

At 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

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The M.S. Rau Difference

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