The following
description for has been prepared entirely by the current owner, Roberts S.
Fastov, Esq., and, at the collector’s request, has not been edited by Sloans
& Kenyon
Note 1) Weiss’s most popular and most highly valued paintings were his 18th century genre scenes involving one or more well-dressed French gentlemen/courtiers. This painting, “The Flower Seller,” is the largest, most complex and appealing composition of this nature that has been offered and illustrated at auction since 1990. See below for the two Weiss 18th Century genre paintings of this nature, and what they brought at auction, $13,260 for "In the Tavern " (15.75" x 12.01") on 4/1/2009 and $50,000 for "The Chess Game" (20 7/8" x 17½”) on 10/26/2004. Both of these examples were considerably smaller and less complex, interesting and esthetically pleasing compositions than Weiss' “The Flower Seller” composition (28 ½" x 22 ¾") being offered at auction. Weiss' “The Flower Seller” painting is the most desirable and valuable Weiss painting that has ever been offered at auction, since Artprice.com started publishing auction records regarding Weiss' art in 1990. Of the total of 66 Weiss oil paintings that Artprice.com lists, only these two above Weiss paintings portray 18th century genre scenes involving one or more well-dressed French gentlemen/courtiers. Thus, there is a rarity factor involved with the offering of “The Flower Seller,” which portrays one such 18th century well-dressed French gentlemen/courtiers, who is also accompanied by his beautiful female companion, who is also very well-dressed in very costly finery; and thus, obviously a woman of quality, rank and privilege. They are conversing with another beautiful woman, “The Flower Seller,” who is neatly and cleanly dressed in lesser, every day peasant clothing, rather than the exquisite finery worn by the gentleman's companion, and who is being assisted by an elderly woman, probably her mother. This conversation is portrayed amidst some excellent, complex Weiss' architectural painting involving a somewhat elaborately constructed stone arch in the foreground and town houses of the residents or places of business in the distance, all on an intricately paved cobble stone street, with three men conversing on the outside of one of the houses or places of business. Thus, the presale estimate of $30,000-$60,000 is reasonable and justified. In this regard, none of Weiss' other forms of genre painting, e.g., very contemporary or 19th century pictures of everyday activities, or other types of painting subjects, are close to bringing the value of these two rare 18th Century genre scenes involving one or more well-dressed French gentlemen/courtiers.
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Thus, per Askart.com: "In the Tavern," signed lower left; oil on wood panel and 15.75" x 12.01" was sold by the Dorotheum, Vienna for $13,260 on 4/1/2009.
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The Chess Game |
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Sales date |
10/26/2004 |
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Hammer price |
USD 50,000 EUR 39,065-USD 50,000-GBP 27,165 |
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Estimate |
USD 12,000-15,000 |
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Category |
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Medium |
Oil/panel |
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Location |
New York NY (UNITED STATES) |
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Size |
53x44.5 cm-(20 7/8x17 1/2 in) |
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Auction house |
Sotheby's |
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Dated |
1897 |
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Lot number |
221 |
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Distinguishing marks |
Signed dated «Geo Weiss» Bas Droite |
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Illustrations |
P. 265 of the catalogue |
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Thus, per Artprice.com: “The Chess Game,"’ signed and dated “1897” lower right; oil on wood panel; and. 20 7/8" x 17 ½" sold for $50,000 at Sotheby’s New York, on 10/26 /2004 as lot 221,