Lesser Ury (German, 1861-1931) Rainy Night, Berlin

Description:

Lesser Ury (German, 1861-1931)

Rainy Night, Berlin, c. 1920s
Signed "L. Ury." l.l., numbered "110" on the artist's estate label affixed to the
reverse.
Oil on canvas, 41 1/4 x 26 3/4 in. (105.0 x 68.0 cm),framed.
Condition: Retouch, areas of stable craquelure, surface grime.

From the estate of the artist through to Elsbeth Kaufman (Mrs. Otto Gottschalk),by family descent to the present owner (shipped out of Germany to Wimbledon, England, c. 1932).

N.B. We wish to thank Dr. Sibylle Gross for kindly confirming the authenticity of this work. The painting will be included in her catalogue raisonné for the paintings by Lesser Ury, and a photo-certificate from Dr. Gross will accompany the lot.

Born in Birnbaum, Lesser Ury moved to Berlin as youngster in 1871 and fell in love with the city. He studied art in Düsseldorf, Brussels, Paris, and Munich, where in 1893 he joined the Munich Secession, one of the several Secessions formed by progressive artists in Germany and Austria in the last years of the 19th century. In 1901 he returned to his beloved Berlin, where he exhibited with the Berlin Secession in 1915 and 1922. The city of Berlin provided a constant source of inspiration for Ury, who is best known for his urban landscapes under dark, cloud-filled or moonlit skies. It has been said that he painted the life of the city as no other artist of the time.



Estimate $80,000-120,000

Retouch as follows: Thin wash of semi-gloss paint (which appears over an area of alligatoring) to a 1-1/2 x 3 inch area located in the center of the umbrella, a 2 x 5 inch area on the front car, above the headlights, and a 1 x 1-1/2 inch area in the front of the second car; thin dab of matte paint over a 1/4 x 3/8 inch area to u.r. corner. Craquelure to the thickest black pigment. Area of shrinking craquelure to center left measuring 3 x 1 in., including about 5 tiny paint losses (1/16 in.),located in the background between the figures' faces and the first car; small pucker to canvas at u.l. corner (may benefit from having stretcher keys tightened or the work re-stretched).


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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