Lot 1366 | Heinrich von Zügel | Oxen with Driver in the Ford

ZÜGEL, HEINRICH VON
1850 Murrhardt - 1941 Munich

Title: Oxen with Driver in the Ford.
Technique: Oil on canvas.
Mounting: Laid down on wood.
Measurement: 164 x 280cm.
Notation: Signed and dated lower right: H. Zügel 1918.
Frame: Framed.
Verso:
On the board collection label Schäfer, Schweinfurth.

Literature:
E. Diem: Heinrich von Zügel. Leben Schaffen Werk, Recklinghausen 1975, cat. rais. no. 500 with ill. p. 224.

Provenance:
Collection Georg Schäfer, Schweinfurth;
Auction Neumeister, Munich 28.06.2006, lot 796;
Private ownership, Germany.

The massive bodies of two oxen move powerfully through the shallow water of a river whose contours are lost in the hazy background. Using his strength, the boy, with his hands on the reins and halter, works against the forward momentum of the two animals. The extensive oeuvre of Heinrich von Zügel, one of the most important German impressionists, is characterized by the depiction of the rural environment and its farm animals and domestic animals. Reminiscent of his life as the son of a shepherd, the artist manages to capture the hardships of everyday rural life on canvas in a realistic and detailed way. Already noticed during his school days for his talent for drawing, Heinrich von Zügel's artistic training began in 1869 with a two-year study at the Stuttgart Art School before the young artist moved to Munich. There he met the renowned animal painter Anton Braith, who became his mentor. Inspired by travels to the Dutch and Belgian coasts, the artist devoted himself to plein air painting from the 1890s. The detailed observation of animals in his early works gives way to an impressionistic, relaxed style of painting.
The present picture, a high-quality late work, stands at the end of this artistic development. It belongs to the theme of "Heavy Work", the depiction of a plowing team of oxen, which Heinrich von Zügel turned to in 24 versions over the course of 40 years. His effort to create an atmospheric representation of people and animals surrounded by air and light is clearly visible. The artist skillfully manages to capture the reflection of the sun in the turbulent water, which contrasts with the dark color of the oxen's fur and the boy's clothing. In this exciting play of light and shadow, animals and the environment merge with each other and dissolve into kinetic energy. Monumentalized in this way, Heinrich von Zügel gives visual expression to his deep connection with nature.