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The Guitar Lesson by Henriëtte Ronner-Knip
The Guitar Lesson by Henriëtte Ronner-Knip
The Guitar Lesson by Henriëtte Ronner-Knip
The Guitar Lesson by Henriëtte Ronner-Knip
The Guitar Lesson by Henriëtte Ronner-Knip

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The Guitar Lesson by Henriëtte Ronner-Knip

  • Henriëtte Ronner-Knip ranks among the most celebrated painters of cats in nineteenth-century Europe
  • The Guitar Lesson captures the charm and technical brilliance that made the artist renowned
  • In this era, cats evolved from practical mousers into cherished household companions
  • Ronner-Knip was born in Amsterdam into a distinguished family of artists and cat lovers
  • Get complete item description here
$112,500
Item No. 32-2900

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Description
Henriëtte Ronner-Knip
1821-1909 | Dutch-Belgian

The Guitar Lesson


Signed "Henriëtte Ronner" (lower right)
Oil on panel

Henriëtte Ronner-Knip ranks among the most celebrated painters of cats in nineteenth-century Europe. Painted in the 1880s, The Guitar Lesson captures the wit, charm and technical brilliance that made the artist internationally renowned. Her delightful feline scenes were eagerly collected across Europe and remain among the most sought-after examples of Victorian animal painting.

A lively. . .
Read More
Henriëtte Ronner-Knip
1821-1909 | Dutch-Belgian

The Guitar Lesson


Signed "Henriëtte Ronner" (lower right)
Oil on panel

Henriëtte Ronner-Knip ranks among the most celebrated painters of cats in nineteenth-century Europe. Painted in the 1880s, The Guitar Lesson captures the wit, charm and technical brilliance that made the artist internationally renowned. Her delightful feline scenes were eagerly collected across Europe and remain among the most sought-after examples of Victorian animal painting.

A lively family of cats gathers around a guitar in an amusing parody of a music lesson. Their curious paws suggest that this practice session may be more mischievous than musical. Ronner-Knip renders each animal with remarkable individuality, using loose yet assured brushwork to convey the softness and texture of their fur.

Born in Amsterdam into a distinguished family of artists and cat lovers before settling in Brussels, Ronner-Knip became one of Europe's foremost painters of cats during the Victorian era. As cats evolved from practical mousers into cherished household companions, her affectionate portrayals perfectly reflected changing tastes among an increasingly prosperous middle class. Admired for combining meticulous observation with exceptional technical skill, she exhibited internationally and enjoyed royal patronage throughout her career. Today, her paintings reside in important museum collections, including the Rijksmuseum, which holds the closely related watercolor The Musicians, underscoring the enduring appeal of this delightful subject.

Circa 1880s

Canvas: 20 7/8" high x 27 7/8" wide (52.90 x 70.68 cm)
Frame: 29 1/2" high x 36 3/4" wide x 3 1/4" deep (74.93 x 93.35 x 8.26 cm)

Provenance:
Kunsthandel Buffa & Zonen, Amsterdam
Private collection, Amsterdam
Private collection, Amsterdam
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
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The Guitar Lesson by Henriëtte Ronner-Knip
Maker: Ronner-Knip, Henriette
Period: 1816-1918
Origin: Netherlands
Type: Paintings
Style: Realism
Depth: 3.25 in. (8.26 cm)
Width: 36.75 in. (93.35 cm)
Height: 29.5 in. (74.93 cm)
Canvas Width: 27.825 in. (70.68 cm)
Canvas Height: 20.825 in. (52.9 cm)
Animal Symbolism in Fine Art and Antiques
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How Did History Shape Art?
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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

On Approval

Examine select works in person before you commit

125% Guarantee

125% Guarantee

Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years

Trusted Expertise

Trusted Expertise

Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

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