Josef Neukirch (1896-1953) - Early 20th Century Gouache Working The Field

Description

This evocative painting captures the essence of rural labour, depicting two figures bent in strenuous work on a sloping field. The artist's use of muted earthy tones and loose, expressive brushstrokes creates a sense of movement and toil, emphasising the physical nature of agricultural life. Provenance - receipt from Otto Bejvl who took over the artist's estate in the 1960s, Artist information attached to the frame verso. Including receipt from Presented in a dark wooden frame. On paper.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age, including some discolouration.

Size

33 x 23cm (13" x 9.1")
Framed Size: 55 x 44cm (21.7" x 17.3")

Artist Biography

Josef Neukirch was an Austrian painter and civil servant. After completing secondary school in Linz in 1915, Neukirch became a state official in the accounting service, ultimately becoming the state's accounting director. He was an autodidact painter and attended the Matthias May painting school from 1920 to 1922. He was friends with Alois Kaindl and Vilma Eckl, who also influenced his artistic work. He practised painting in private as a side job and never appeared in public during his lifetime. His works, mostly drafts and sketches, reveal compositional skills and a fine sense of colour. He was a member of the artists' association MAERZ from 1926. His artistic estate was taken over by Otto Bejvl and formed the basis for his art trade in Linz in the 1960s.