This early 20th-century impressionistic oil painting by German artist Hans Von Heider (1867-1952) depicts an elevated view of the Isar Valley in Germany.
The cool tints of the Isar River glide through the middle-ground before vanishing into a haze. There’s a rhythmical quality to the brushwork - it flows rapidly over clusters of raised stones. Von Heider describes the movement energetically. Note how he’s used contrasting marks for each of the main elements - compare the trees with their vigorous power to the milder horizontal forms of the lighter plains beyond. While the foreground foliage is different again, an amalgamation of earthy tones and spontaneous impasto.
Von Heider also cleverly uses the direction of his marks to guide the eye. If you begin in the top right, you’ll end in the river.
The Isar River rises in Western Austria and flows through South-East Germany, including Munich, to the Danube. Von Heider was born and trained in Munich so would’ve known it well. The painting bears a Munich gallery label.
Signed lower left and held within a gilt frame.
Medium: Oil on board
Overall size: 34” x 26” / 86cm x 66cm
Year of creation: c. 1923
Labels & Inscriptions: Heinemann Gallery, Munich, label on reverse.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Board a little bowed. Frame with some light wear.
Hans Von Heider was an accomplished German painter of landscapes and still lifes. He trained in Munich at the Academy of Fine Arts under Heinz Heim and Gabriel von Hackl. His works often carry a tangled mood combined with a natural, earthy palette. He's represented in numerous public collections.
Learn more about Hans Von Heider in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
