A masterful interior scene by German artist, Otto Kirberg (1850-1926). It depicts a simple living room interior with the dining table folded up.

Kirberg has handled the light beautifully as it falls across the cupboard and along the tiled floor. Note also the little splashes of light by the plates hanging above the doorway.

Kirberg studied at the Düsseldorf Art Academy under Oswald Achenbach (1827-1905) and later at Wilhelm Sohn's (1829-1899) studio.

In 1879, he undertook a lengthy tour of the Netherlands where he developed a love of genre painting. And for the rest of his career, he enjoyed depicting scenes featuring regular working folk within simple interiors.

The National Gallery in Berlin houses one of his works.

The painting is signed in the lower left.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 21” x 17” / 53cm x 43cm
Year of creation: c. 1900
Provenance: Germany
Condition: Overall very presentable. Canvas relined. Stretcher probably replaced. Craquelure in areas but the paint layer is stable. Minor restorations.
Artist’s auction highlight: £11,934 achieved for ‘Die Musikstunde’ at auction in 2008.