An abundance of red chalk to convey a mood, the background entirely blocked in with only the skin in a lighter tone.

She’s facing forwards yet looking over from the corner of one eye. It’s probably the artist’s daughter and there’s fire in that expression.

By the time he created this, Von Kaulbach (1850-1920) was a celebrity. One of the greatest portrait painters in Munich. Society ladies were keen to sit for him and dignitaries waited in line. His usual style was swaggerful - oils laid down with confident marks inspired by the old masters. He lived in a palace fit for royalty and was dubbed “a prince of painters”.

Yet here, we see an altogether different side. He’s at home, drawing his daughter, as he did on many occasions. Away from the glitz and the gaze of the bourgeoisie. It’s just him, his family and a moment - as sincere as it gets.

Housed within a later frame, glazed, monogrammed and signed.

Learn more about Friedrich August Von Kaulbach in our directory.

Medium: Chalk on paper
Overall size: 19” x 23” / 48cm x 58cm
Year of creation: c. 1900
Condition: Overall very presentable. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £151,884 achieved for an oil painting in 2013.