In fact, as far as I know, the very talented person who painted this beautiful water colour (at least I think that's what it is) was no relative of ours. I can't decipher the name on the bottom right of the picture and will have to ask my parents when I'll go there for lunch in a bit.
But now, the painting:
Not easy to take a photo of a painting behind glass, but I think you can appreciate its beauty in spite of the reflections.
It is fairly large, and a closer look at some detail shows how well done it is:
Isn't it beautiful? With the cheerful colours of the vase and flowers, it brightens up any room (not that my parents' place is dark, quite the contrary!).
And brightening up is certainly what we can all do with in this never-ending winter!
Addendum: The painter's name was Hartnagel (which is German for "hard nail"). He was indeed not a relative of ours, but lived in the neighbourhood. I am sure there is a story behind how that painting ended up in our possession, we just didn't have enough time for it today during my lunch break (meaning I remembered too late that I wanted to ask about it). Maybe my Mum will enlighten us here :-)
It looks like a water colour to me Meike and, yes, it is cheerful. Ironically Lewis is having the best weather in Britain at the moment so far as I can gather but, like you, everyone else is waiting for the long winter to end. In the meantime may the painting bring you cheer.
ReplyDeleteJust come home from my parents' and had another look at the painting. My Mum says the name of the painter was Hartnagel (German for hard nail), and the man lived in the neighbourhood but indeed wasn't a relative of ours.
DeleteHowever your family became proud owners, the painting if superb and would bring cheer to any environs.
DeleteIt is, Norma, isn't it!
DeleteThis is wonderful! I love the good feeling I get from looking at this painting. It seems to have the flowers and berries from late summer, but the feeling is very springlike and fresh.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Kristi; it looks "right" in all seasons, somehow!
DeleteThat is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week Meike,
Dorothy
Thank you, Dorothy, you too!
DeleteI love that painting. The cherries, the sunflowers and the color of that vase...I love it!
ReplyDeleteI wonder, were your parents great friends with the painter? Did he simply like them and give the painting to them? I have seen that a lot on Antiques Roadshow. (A great show that we in America copied from Britain!)
I just typed in the name HARTNAGEL AND GERMAN ARTIST...I found the name Fritz Hartnagel in relation to Sophie Scholl. Wow, what a story. Have you ever done a post about Sophie Scholl? I wonder, could Fritz Hartnagel be related to the same man who did that painting? Or is that a very common last name?
I think it's not cherries but the small orange-ish berries we call "Vogelbeeren" in German, "bird berries". Cherries and sunflowers would not be out at the same time of the year over here.
DeleteWell, I don't know whether Mr. Hartnagel's first name was Fritz, but I do know that Sophie and Hans Scholl went to school in Ludwigsburg for a few years.
The painter of that painting was of my grandparents' generation; I guess they knew each other, living in more or less the same part of town, but I don't know whether they were friends. I hope my Mum knows more!
I love that they are called "bird berries". We have bushes like that that are recommended for people like me who love the birds and love to see them in our yards!
DeleteI did not know the story of Sophie and Hans Scholl but your post made me look them up and learn something new! What a great story and they went to school where you live!
Let me know what your sweet Mum tells you about this painting, I think it is very interesting!
In the meantime, my Mum has talked to her brother about the painting, and because he is 5 years her senior, he remembers some more detail about the painter, even the house where he used to live. I'll clear up a few more questions and then post about it in more detail.
DeleteIt’s a very pretty picture, perhaps you can find out a bit more about it. I expect he was a neighbour and just gave it to your parents for a present?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have learned so far, he was probably my grandfather's colleague. There will soon be a post about him!
DeleteIt's still very beautiful!!! Won't it be nice when you can find out the provenance of the image!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Thank you, Mary, you, too!
DeleteYes, it is so interesting to learn the story behind an object you have known as part of the family home(s) (first my grandparents', and now my parents') all your life.