Oil painting entitled 'Wild boars and wolf' by Friedrich Gauermann. Austrian School, 1835.

In a dark and threatening forest a boar protects his family and looks with suspicion at the intruding wolf. Signed and dated by the artist.

Given by John Sheepshanks, 1857

Bought by John Sheepshanks in 1835 directly from the artist for 500 florins. This price was high for Gauermann at this period. According to the artist's account book, it was painted in June 1835 and sent to England in December.

In 1851 this painting and FA. 77 were both hanging in the dining room of Sheepshanks' London house, where they were seen by G.F. Waagen.

Given to the South Kensington Museum by John Sheepshanks, 1857.

Feuchtmüller (1962 & 1987) lists one preparatory drawing: pen and wash 27.8 x 33.5 cm., inscribed In London. Ausgefhürt für H. Schipings in London 1835, Kupferstichkabinett, Akademie der Bildendenden Kiinste, Vienna, no. 7049.

When the present work and FA.77 were seen by Waagen in 1851 he observed: 'Both these pictures fully display the animated conception and happy study of nature which distinguish this painter in his representation of savage animals. The execution is also careful, though the tone of colouring is somewhat heavy. These are the only pictures in the collection not by native artists'.

The present work is one of Gauermann's most impressive paintings. Gauermann enjoyed a high reputation among his contemporaries, including Edwin Landseer, and he was the only foreign artist represented in Sheepshanks' gift to the Museum (by this work and FA. 77).

When the Prince Consort visited the newly opened paintings gallery in 19 June 1857 he singled out these two pictures: 'In looking through the South Gallery, he noticed two pictures by Gauermann. He seemed to know him and his works. 'He was' said the Prince, 'Court painter of animals and he also painted the late Emperor of Austria and all his family ...' (F. M. Redgrave, Richard Redgrave, A memoir, 1891, p. 174.) There is no supporting evidence for the statement that he painted the Austrian Emperor; perhaps this was a royal joke.

The price paid for this picture by the collector John Sheepshanks was high (500 florins) for Gauermann at this period and it remains among his most impressive works. According to his account book, it was painted in June 1835 and sent to England in December. In stressing Gauermann's high reputation among his contemporaries, it is interesting to note that he was the only foreign artist represented in Sheepshanks' gift to the museum. When the Prince Consort visited the newly opened paintings gallery on 19th June 1857 he singled out this painting and another by Gauermann, Wolves attacking a Stag and a Deer, (Museum Number: FA.77). As the artist Richard Redgrave noted in his memoirs of the Prince's: 'In looking through the South Gallery, he noticed two pictures by Gauermann. He seemed to know him and his works.'He was' said the Prince, 'Court painter of animals and he also painted the late Emperor of Austria and all his family...'. There is no supporting evidence for the statement that he painted the Austrian Emperor so perhaps this was a royal joke.

FA.78[O]