Animal painting “Mare with foal – Mare with foal” Fritz Volkers (1868 – 1944)

Original oil on panel Animalier painting, depicting a mare with foal grazing (Mare with foal), signed Fritz Volkers on the bottom right.
Fritz Volkers (1868 – 1944) animal artist of German origin, son of the painter Emil, specialist in equestrian themes, with his brothers Karl and Max attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf from 1883 to 1887 and subsequently perfected the technique at his father's atelier. They were students of A.Schill, H.Crola, H.Lauenstein, P.Janssen.
Emil Volkers was a very famous artist, with an unmistakable and sought-after style as an equestrian portraitist, his clients belonged to the international aristocracy. He became court painter to Prince Charles of Romania and Wilhelm I, his children followed in their father's footsteps, obtaining recognition and appreciation from important collectors, many works are exhibited in the museums of Düsseldorf, Berlin, Munich, The Met NY, Fralin Museum.
Fritz Volkers had a very intense artistic career as an equestrian painter, he lived near Berlin and chose the Hoppengarten racecourse as the place to study his favorite subjects, among stables and tracks intended for flat racehorse training. The theme of the mare with foal placed in a natural context originated from the paintings of George Stubbs (Mares and foals in a River Landscape 1763), the English horse painter par excellence, who for the first time managed to enhance not only the champion stallions in sport but also the part dedicated to breeding, enhancing the equestrian culture at 360 degrees as a lifestyle for enthusiasts and operators in the sector. Volkers' panel painting is an example of pictorial virtuosity, attention to detail and profound knowledge of the equestrian world, the execution is of high quality, refined by the precise brushstroke. The attitude of the subjects depicted is typical of the protection of the mother who watches over and leads the colt, curious and reckless by nature like all young specimens. The landscape in the background consists of lush vegetation, a small lake and buildings with large roofs typical of Germany. The atmosphere is sunny, clear in a context of verdant tranquility.
The painting is in excellent state of conservation, already viewed by a professional restoration studio who verified its condition, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, the frame is original, richly decorated in contemporary gold pastille.