111363

Moritz Jacker 1904

Half-length slightly to the right, and looking full face to the viewer, his right arm resting on the back of a chair, wearing a black waistcoat, a white shirt and a black bow tie, and a fur trimmed robe

Oil on canvas, 101 x 71 cm (39 ¾ x 25 ⅝ in.)

Indistinctly inscribed lower left: László F.E. / Vienna / 1904 XII

Sitters’ Book I, f. 67: M. Jacker / 30 / 9 1904

Private Collection

This portrait and a pendant portrait of Moritz Jacker’s wife Mathilde [111364] were commissioned by the sitter’s son-in-law, Richard Kind (1861-1930). Painted in Vienna, they were sent to his home in Aussig (now Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic) after their completion. Kind was a chemist and successful industrialist who owned three factories in Aussig. His company was the exclusive supplier of mineral oils for the Austrian railways.

Jacker signed de László’s Sitters’ Book on 30 September 1904, but the artist’s appointment book suggests that both portraits were started in December. Sittings for husband and wife are not differentiated but the name Jacker appears on 16, 17 and 19 December 1904. Since there appear to be very few sittings for two finished portraits, it may be that those scheduled earlier that month and crossed out typically indicating a cancellation are in fact sittings that actually took place.^[1] Jacker’s name also appears on 25 January 1905, however, this was likely a visit to the studio to see the finished portraits before they were sent to Aussig.

The first version [112391] on board was virtually identical in composition to the finished picture, but rejected. It was common for the artist to begin a commission and, if dissatisfied, start again often using a larger board or canvas as is the case with the present picture. The rejected version remained in de László’s studio until his death when it was destroyed in accordance with the terms of the artist’s will. As the portrait was a pendant to Frau Moritz Jacker’s portrait, both were begun again on canvas, which suggests husband and wife were sitting simultaneously. The rejected version for her portrait is [112434].

Richard Kind wrote to de László in February 1905 and the letter indicates just how involved the artist was in the framing and hanging of these portraits: “We have arrived here safely and without a railway disaster; the two portraits also arrived and are in excellent condition. I hasten to thank you – also in my wife’s name – very much for the great interest you have taken in the pictures after they were finished and for getting involved in the most effective way of their presentation as well as in the design of the room. We have had the pictures put behind glass immediately and hung them provisionally in the intended corner – unfortunately everything gets reflected there in the glass and we will have to find the right spot to enjoy the pictures fully. We will try different places to hang them – I think they will be at their most beautiful in artificial light which comes from the ceiling. For the time being we have left the pictures in their black protection frame around the gold frame as they will have to be hung and unhung several times still; Once, when they find their place in the specially adapted room, we will take the black protective frames off or should we leave them on until the final varnish? We are very pleased to have these two portraits from your talented hand and especially to have had the pleasure of getting to know you personally.”^[2] 

Moritz Jacker was born on 10 March 1836 in Neu-Bydschow (now Nový Bydžov, Czech Republic), the son of Lazar Jacker (c.1805-1882), a merchant of Iglau (now Jihlava, Czech Republic), and his wife Katharina (c.1802-1886), also of Iglau. He married Mathilde Grünwald and they had a daughter Hedwig (born 1872). He became a partner in the firm of hop traders Jacker, Grünwald & Lederer in Prague. In Vienna they lived in a fine house on the Arenbergring 16 (now Dannebergplatz). He died of paralysis of the heart in the Villa Holbein at Pörtschach on the Wörthersee in Carinthia in Southern Austria on 1 June 1912.

PROVENANCE:

By descent in the family

LITERATURE:

•László, Philip de, 1904 appointment book, private collection

•László, Philip de, 1905 appointment book, private collection

•DLA070-0070, letter from Richard Kind to de László, 31 January 1905

•DLA070-0069, letter from Richard Kind to de László, 9 February 1905

CWS

2007

BS

2024