83 - Joseph Emanuel Weiser (1847, Patschkau – Munich, 1911), The Destruction of Pompeii.

Joseph Emanuel Weiser (1847, Patschkau – Munich, 1911), The Destruction of Pompeii. Oil on wood. Approx. 74 x 139 cm. Signed lower left. Joseph Emanuel Weiser was born in Munich. He studied art at the Munich Academy under the guidance of Wilhelm von Diez. The artist undertook numerous study trips throughout Germany, Austria, and Italy before settling in Munich. Weiser’s artistic oeuvre was extensive and diverse. He painted still lifes, portraits, genre paintings, historical paintings, landscapes, and works featuring biblical and mythological iconography. The motif of the “Last Day of Pompeii” exemplifies the enthusiasm for antiquity that was so pronounced in the 19th century, an enthusiasm that was significantly fueled by the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. For Joseph Emanuel Weiser, the ancient subject matter offered the opportunity to combine his interest in history, costume, and detailed depictions of social settings. In his historical and genre paintings, Weiser combined vivid reconstructions of past worlds with lively, often theatrically staged figure compositions. The Pompeii theme also allowed him to contrast the splendor of ancient life with the dramatic notion of imminent doom. Thus, this composition fits characteristically within the historicist ancient-themed painting of the late 19th century. Provenance: Private collection, Germany (according to a statement by Maria Almas-Dietrich in 1949); Maria Almas-Dietrich Gallery, Munich; “Sonderauftrag Linz” collection (marked on the reverse with the Linz no. “207”); Central Collecting Point, Munich, registered on October 17, 1945 (Munich No. “9761”), transferred to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1963 (Minister President); Weinmüller, Munich, March 20–22, 1963; Private collection, Austria (in the family for approximately 60 years). Taxation: subject to margin scheme (VAT: Margin Scheme).