Portrait of Lotte Kreiser

Provenance: 1. Grosse Berliner Kunst-Ausstellung, Berlin, 1904. Exhibition label on back 2. Katalog Judischen Museum der Stadt Wein, G.T. Natter (ed.) Isidor Kaufmann (1995) p.295 (illustrated) 3. Wiener Kunstauktionen G.m.b.H. The painting depicts an attractive young woman with bouquet of flowers. Her profile-position is softened by a slight turning of the body-axis resulting in the sitter’s most engaging gaze. The softness of color and line underscores Kaufmann’s movement into the more impressionistic style common to the time. The soothing atmosphere of the painting in no way compromises Kaufmann’s distinct precision and detail reminiscent to some of the great portrait-master, Hans Holbein the Younger. The subject, Lotte Kreiser was the wife of Lajos Krieser, one of the most important collectors and supporters of Kaufmann’s art. At the time Kaufmann’s paintings were highly popular among assimilated, wealthy, urban Jews who often desired a link to their ethnic past. In this sense, Kaufmann united two very separate worlds in Judaism; that of the modern, bourgeois with the simple, devout rural Jew. Indeed, the present work is an interesting contrast to Kaufmann’s religious portraits that tended to be darker, of male subjects, and of a more religious underlying theme. The lighter, softer use of color makes this a more lyrical piece perhaps indicative of the privileged life-style Lotte Krieger enjoyed in contrast to shtetl hardships. The painting is complemented by a most striking rococo style frame. The ribbon-like wreath of intricate flowers encircles the image thus emphasizing the beautiful features of the subject. The wooden frame is finished with a gold coat and is adorned with floral embellishments and ornate carvings. Inscription on bottom of “Lotte” with artists’ plaque below