Joseph Anton Muxel 1824 Mural-Sized Family Portrait Oil Painting on Canvas
Item Details
Joseph Anton Muxel (Germany; 1786 – 1842)
Untitled (family portrait of Baron Christian von Burckhardt), 1824
Oil painting on canvas
Signed and dated to lower right
Framed
A remarkable 1824 mural-sized oil family portrait painting on canvas by Joseph Anton Muxel (Germany; 1786 – 1842). This Biedermeier period portrait depicts Baron Christian von Burckhardt, Baroness Wilhelmina Sophia Frederick Christina Henriette von Brandt, and their three children Frederick (standing), Leopold (seated on ground), and Sophia (seated on lap). The family is painted in astounding realism, and are pictured seated in a stone alcove overlooking a luxurious country estate. The painting is signed and dated to the lower right. It is presented in its original 1830s Rococo-style wooden frame with ornate cast plaster surface embellishments, restored with a painted gold tone finish, and equipped with a hanging wire.
According to included information, the Baron was an accomplished flutist and was rumored to have played with Frederick the Great, the King of Prussia. The two sons, Fredrick and Leopold, would go on to found the Cincinnati Oil Works and in 1882 helped charter The Queen City National Bank, which would later become Fifth National Bank and then Fifth Third Bank. Additional information about the family’s history is included with the piece, and can be seen in the photos of this item.
Condition
- painting has been professionally maintained and restored with inpainting and varnishing, as well as repairs to several punctures, tears, paint loss and cracking. Notable repaired tears, cracks and/or loss located as follows: an 18.5" crack beginning at 8" from left edge of painting and 34" down from top edge of painting and continuing downwards, ending about midway through rendered young boy’s cheek; a 24" crack beginning at 18.75" from left edge of painting and 40.75" from top edge (mid-thigh on woman’s top leg in red fabric), continuing downwards through youngest boy’s top knee; a 2.5" tear repaired at 4.5" from right edge and 6.5" from bottom edge. There are other isolated, minor areas of craquelure and inpainting throughout composition. The painted finish of the frame has been reguilded. An in-person viewing of this monumental work is recommended.
Dimensions
- visible painted area measures 64″ × 69.5″.
Item #
18CIN517-141
