Franz Xaver Wolf (Austrian 1896-1989) Still Life of Flowers and Butterflies. Oil on wood panel. In an ornate pierced and carved gilt wood frame with textile slip.

Although little is known about the life of this artist, he is well-listed and we have seen some of his still lifes before but none has come close in quality to this one. The depth of the painting is extraordinary, the more so since there are no “vanishing points” to speak of. Somehow he achieved a background that appears to be well behind the flowers in the foreground, perhaps using a white underpainting or gesso, on which were layered a number of glazes.

MEASUREMENTS:
Sight (visible painting): Height: 32cm (12.5in). Width: 20cm (8in)
With Frame: Height 47cm (18.5in). Width: 35.5cm (14in)

CONDITION:
In excellent original condition. No sign of any restoration found under ultraviolet light.

BIOGRAPHY:
Franz Xaver Wolf (b. 11 June, 1896 Vienna - d. 1989)
C20th Painter, Engraver (etching); Figures, Still-lifes, Flowers, Landscapes.
Austrian.

Franz Xavier Wolf studied at the Fine Arts Academies of Vienna and Munich, and later became, himself, an Academy professor.
He produced a number of notable works in his long and industrious life, a good number of which are listed in ‘Benezit, Dictionary of Artists’. As well as being highly collectable for his fine genre, still-life and flower paintings, Franz Xaver Wolf’s works can be found today in museums across Vienna and Berlin.