Alexander Koester
1864-1932 | German

Ducklings and a Mother Hen

Signed "A. Koester" (lower left)
Oil on canvas

Esteemed German artist Alexander Koester was known for his charming paintings of animals, and this stunning oil exemplifies his extraordinary skill. Here, a delightful gathering of fresh ducklings surrounds a motherly hen in a hay-filled barn. Koester's brushstrokes perfectly capture the feathery birds and heaps of straw, creating a soft, inviting texture across the surface. The artist expertly imbues the animals with lively personalities and evokes a peaceful view of rural life in his native Germany.

Born in 1864, Koester first trained to become an apothecary rather than an artist, according to his parents' wishes. However, his passion for painting soon drove him away from the field, and he found a place studying under the genre painters Karl Hoff and Claus Meyer. During this period, he traveled extensively, making sketches that served as the basis for his genre paintings and composing portraits to earn his living.

A turning point in his career came in 1891 after his first visit to Klausen in Southern Tyrol. He would return to this picturesque town time and time again, eventually settling there from 1896 to 1915. Working directly from nature, he devoted his time to the subject for which he is best remembered today: the duck. Koester’s years in Klausen were undoubtedly the most creative of his career, and his scenic water landscapes earned him considerable recognition during his lifetime. He was awarded a gold medal at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 and was later granted another gold medal by Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria. Today, he remains known as Enten-Koester for his beloved duck portraits, which are among the finest animal paintings of their period.

Early 20th century

Canvas: 20 1/4" high x 28 1/4" wide (51.44 x 71.76 cm)
Frame: 27" high x 35" wide x 2" deep (68.58 x 88.90 x 5.08 cm)

Provenance:
Private Collection, United States, after 1945
Private Collection, United States, by descent from above
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

4.26 Mother's Day

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