1423 - Emil Rau (1858 Dresden – 1937 Munich)

Emil Rau (1858 Dresden – 1937 Munich) Flirtation in the Alpine Hut A scenic genre scene depicting a maid or dairymaid sitting in front of an open hearth fire, with whom two young farmers in Upper Bavarian traditional dress are flirting; behind them stands another farmer, calmly observing the scene while smoking a pipe; in the background, a view through a lattice window onto a high alpine pasture with snow-capped peaks. A large-format work by Rau that is particularly characteristic in its subject matter and exceptionally atmospheric due to the careful rendering of light. The artist first studied at the academy in his hometown from 1875 to 1879, and later in Munich under Alexander Wagner and Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Younger; Rau, who had been working as a freelance artist since 1883, frequently exhibited in Berlin, Dresden, Munich, and Vienna beginning in 1877; in 1889, he was awarded the Grand Gold Medal in London. His subtly rendered, sensitively observed scenes of Upper Bavarian folk life gained widespread popularity. Oil on canvas, relined; signed lower right; 97 cm x 125 cm. Framed. Oil on canvas, relined. Signed.