작품 상세

Signed and dated 'Harzburg Aug. 03 M. Slevogt' in red upper left. We would like to thank Bernhard Geil, Slevogthof Neukastel, for his additional information. The sitter of this work is Maria Nöthig, nee Emmerling, mother-in-law of the Lissabon opera singer Francisco d'Andrade (1856-1921), who owned a mansion in Bad Harzburg in which Slevogt spent the summer of 1903. Slevogt already met the Portuguese baritone in 1894. His enthusiasm for the singer, who was especially well known for his role as Don Giovanni, resulted in several drawings, gouaches and portraits. The painting "Das Champagnerlied (Der Weiße d'Andrade)" is among the most important German impressionist works of around 1900. Slevogt also honoured Andrade's mother-in-law in the present portrait. Maria Nöthig's pale skin contrasts with the dark background of the work. The expression of the older lady, shown enthroned in a red rocking chair, is kind, confident and lively. Slevogt's portrait does not depict an idealised version of the sitter, but still imbues her with a wise and thoughtful quality. This inwardness and individuality is typical of Slevogt's portraits, and the small painting in the background emphasise the private nature of the image. 76 x 58.5 cm