Eesti kunsti oksjonid
Karl Alexander von Winkler “Niguliste kiriku õu”
Kevadoksjon 2025
Oil on canvas. 1894.
| Measurements | 62 x 44 cm |
|---|---|
| Starting price | 7 800 € |
| Number of bids | 18 |
| Hammer price | 12 200 € |
Karl Alexander von Winkler’s (1860-1911) oil paintings are mainly found in the artist’s earlier creative period. His teacher in this field was Berlin professor Hermann Eschke who specialized in seascapes, so it is not surprising that we also find them in abundance in Winkler’s work. The artist’s other favorite subjects were historical buildings and cityscapes, one of the most atmospheric of which is before us now.
Winkler was a valued artist and the demand for his paintings was great. His exhibitions were welcomed with joy in various Estonian cities as well as in St. Petersburg, Latvia and Germany. This painting, “The Courtyard of St. Nicholas Church” (1894), is also mentioned in contemporary art criticism, from which it can be assumed that it was exhibited in one of the above-mentioned exhibitions. However, it is known for certain that it was exhibited at the Rakvere exhibition in 1911, which testifies to his affection for depicting this mighty building.
As is typical of the artist’s style, the painting captivates us with its soft transitions. We clearly recognize the familiar view of the church entrance but Winkler’s main interest is in the mood itself, in the sensitive transmission of atmospheric phenomena.
Text: Mai Levin, Katre Palm