Lot 643: Louis Kronberg O/C Painting, Spanish Flamenco Dancer

Louis Kronberg (American/France, 1872-1965) oil on canvas painting laid to panel, 1901. A Spanish Flamenco dancer shown in full-length wears a red dress, black Manila shawl, and red hat and holds a tambourine in her right hand. Warm light enters from left to illuminate the figure’s neck and arm. Signed and dated lower left. Housed in a carved giltwood frame. Sight: 41 1/4 in. H x 15 1/2 in. W. Framed: 45 in. H x 19 in W. Biographical Note: “Kronberg studied at the Museum of Fine Arts School in Boston under Frank Benson and Edmund Tarbell and spent a year at the Art Students League in New York under William Merritt Chase. At the completion of his studies in Boston, he won the Longfellow Travelling Scholarship which enabled him to go to Paris where he studied at the Academie Julian under Laurens and Constant. While in Paris, Kronberg came under the influence of the Impressionists, especially Degas. Like that French master, he was a devotee of the theatre and took many of his subjects from the ballet…Isabella Stewart Gardner purchased a number of Kronberg’s works during his lifetime [and] Kronberg served as an advisor to Mrs. Gardner as she built her collection of old masters and contemporary works. Kronberg maintained studios in Boston, New York, and Paris for most of his career, and a number of summers were spent in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was awarded the Medal of Honor at the Paris International Exposition in 1937 and was earned the Legion of Honor medal in 1950.” (Source: National Academy of Design)

PROVENANCE:

The estate of Annette Eskind, Nashville, TN. 

CONDITION:

Canvas has been laid to panel. With drying cracks to areas of darkest pigment, especially background and lower edge of hat, some with localized retouch, largest area to hat, 3 1/2 inch x 3/4 inch. Faint horizontal cracks to paint layer extend through the center of the canvas, in torso area, some with minor retouch. See UV photography. Frame with minor abrasions and losses.