SIR FREDERIC WILLIAM BURTON R.H.A. (IRISH 1816-1900)

The widow of Wöhlm

signed and dated FWBurton / MDCCCLIX upper left; signed, titled and dated on a label on the backboard

watercolour

46 x 58.5 cm (18 x 23 in)

Painted in 1859

Provenance:

1. Robinson Esq (by 1862)

Exhibited:

London, Old Watercolour Society, 1859

London, International Exhibition, 1862, no. 1211

In 1859 The Times wrote of the present work: 'No early master, not Memling or Van Eyck, not Martin Schon, Cranach, or Holbein, ever painted an individual physiognomy more conscientiously than Mr Burton has painted his widow'. Whilst staying in Munich in 1844 Burton had been engaged by Maximilien II, King of Bavaria. In subsequent years he returned there to produce detailed watercolours inspired by the local people and architecture. Other German subjects included Peasantry in Franconia waiting for Confession and The Procession in Bamberg Cathedral.

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