Otto Eerelman (1839-1926) - Italiaanse Windhond

This is an institutional work by the famous animal painter Otto Eerelman 1839-1926. It is a Italian Greyhound looking at a butterfly. This is most likely a study of which the oil painting hangs in the Gronings museum. (see last photo). The splendid work is signed at the lower right and titled at the lower left. On the back of the beautiful matching frame there is a label from which I deduce that it probably comes from the collection of Anna Kerling. She was at that time a pupil of Otto Eerelman. A stunning piece that stands out in any interior but is also museum-worthy! Eerelman was a son of Samuel Eerelman, sexton of the A-church, and Cornelisje Pluimpker. From an early age he practiced as a draftsman and against his parents’ wishes chose a life as an artist, starting his studies in 1860 at the Minerva Academy in Groningen. After completing that in 1863, he decided to continue his studies in 1864 for another year at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and from 1865 for some time at the studio of Lourens Alma Tadema (who would later become famous as ‘Sir’ Lawrence Alma-Tadema). After a short time in Paris, Eerelman returned to Groningen to work at the Minerva Academy there from 1867 to 1874. In 1874 he moved to Brussels to devote himself entirely to painting, but came to The Hague as early as 1875 where he lived and worked until 1902.[2] During this period he frequently received commissions from the royal household. At De Loo there is a equestrian portrait of Queen Wilhelmina that is the work of Eerelman. After a stay in Arnhem (for health reasons) he returned to Groningen in 1907, where he remained. Even during his lifetime he was praised and respected for his excellent works and at eighty he was knighted and a street in Groningen was named after him. At his death the city mourned. A local newspaper wrote: "This artist was one of those whose name, even when he left us, continues to resonate, unwavering in strength". Otto Eerelman is buried in a family grave at the Zuiderbegraafplaats in Groningen. Otto Eerelman was so renowned in Groningen that Groningen residents who visited the Paris Louvre would ask, "Where do the Eerelmans hang?" but his work was not highly valued later in the 20th century. In the last years Eerelman’s paintings have again fetched substantial prices. (The work is not shipped to England!)

Estimate:$2,472.17

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