842 - Fritz Dietrich, believer with Bible, cardinal reading on wooden bench among flowers, genre painting

Fritz Dietrich, believer with Bible, cardinal reading on wooden bench among flowers, genre painting Oil/canvas, signed lower left and inscribed with place "München", 1st half 20th century, elderly cardinal with grey hair, red skullcap, red robe and white surplice, sitting on a wooden bench reading the open Bible, flowering plants on both sides, condition commensurate with age, small holes and thinned areas, one hole closed and retouched, retouching, image 50.5x40.5 cm (HxW), framed, frame slightly chipped, frame width 6 cm Fritz Dietrich was a genre painter of the first half of the 20th century who worked in Munich, Berlin and Dresden. His motifs include monks and friars, cardinals reading and princes of the church playing chess or in the salon. He thus stands in the tradition of cardinal pictures, a variety of genre painting showing high clergy in everyday occupations such as reading. This genre was in great demand; its well-known exponents include Georges Croegaert, Andrea Landini, Jehan Georges Vibert and Charles Edouard Delort. Many of these pictures take a humorous look at the lifestyle of the high clergy.