Carl Johann Spielter

This light, fresh painting by a European artist of the second half of the 19th century shows us the trend of everyday life or genre painting that was popular at that time. The canvas depicts the interior of an antique salon or living room of the artist’s studio, which is replete with paintings by masters and elegant decor items – from a Syrian table to Bohemian glassware. It can be seen that the artist very carefully approached the selection of all objects in the room. Surely, all these items were painted from life, and the work on the picture itself took a lot of time, since the artists bought or rented each piece of furniture at that time. The viewer, as it were, is watching what is happening from the depths of the room. Looking at the picture, the viewer can make different versions of what is happening. That was the idea of ​​the artist. Everything speaks of the good taste of the owner of the premises and his love for art. We also see an elderly man looking at the painting with enthusiasm, who is studying the artist’s new work or, perhaps, a new entry into the antique shop. Behind him there is a communication of young people who are clearly interested in each other. It is difficult to say who all three are to each other, different options are possible, but the fact that a young man dreams of not only stroking the palm of a beautiful girl is unambiguous. The elderly man himself gives the impression of a man whose ladies still cause excitement – in the reflection of his magnifying glass you can see the silhouette of a girl, in weightless clothes. In front of him is a figurine with an exciting figure. He is married. And perhaps behind his back his wife. Perhaps this is an unequal marriage, about which so many paintings have been written in Russia. Or maybe it’s just his daughter? After all, the young lady’s hand is hidden by the palm of a young rake, and we can’t see if there is a ring there. Be that as it may, the consideration of this picture gives great intellectual and emotional pleasure and is clearly written by a great master.