10694

DESTROYED

Preparatory work

Frau Ernst Mathes, née Paula Kupelwieser

Half-length, full face looking to the viewer, wearing a high necked dress, her right hand to her chin

Oil on board, 78.5 x 51 cm (31 x 20 in.)

Studio Inventory, p. 45 (231): Fräulein Kuppelweiser [sic]. Painted in Vienna. Cardboard date “Aug.5” but no year stated.

Although it is stated in the artist’s Studio Inventory that the present work is signed,  it cannot be regarded as a study portrait in its own right but instead as one of the some twenty preparatory works for the group portrait of the Kupelwieser family [10429] executed between 1903 and 1907 in Vienna.

The pose of the sitter in the present work, and in a preparatory portrait drawing  [10426], reflect exactly her pose in the finished portrait.

For biographical notes on the sitter, see [10426].

PROVENANCE:

In the possession of the artist on his death;

Destroyed in accordance with the artist’s will, 1947.

AG & CWS 2014