318 - Joseph Matthäus Aigner,

Joseph Matthäus Aigner, Austrian 1818-1886- Portrait of a lady, half-length, wearing a red velvet wrap and pearls in her hair; oil on canvas, feigned oval,66.5 x 53 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: Aigner studied under Friedrich von Amerling (1803-1887) and Carl Rahl (1812-1865) who was a prominent society portraitist in 19th century Austria, with his sitters including Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) and his wife, Empress Sisi (1837-1898). The present work is typical of Aigner's elegant portraits of female sitters, including that which sold at Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden on 28 April 2024, lot 1721 (€1,800 hammer). The handling is heavily reminiscent of a work by Aigner which was offered at Dorotheum, Vienna, on 12 October 2010, lot 161, particularly in the distinctive treatment of the pearls which adorn the sitter and the folds of her drapery, whilst the present sitter's pose also recalls that of another portrait by Aigner which sold at the same rooms on 8 February 2000, lot 131.