Signed lower right: Cucuel

The Altmann family (of the Altmann-Schmidt publishing company), circa 1920s; Josef Altmann, Sr., Münster, Germany, by descent from the above; Estate of Josef Altmann, Sr.; Hollis Taggart Galleries, Inc., New York; Private collection, Indiana, purchased from the above, 2006.

Edward Cucuel (American, 1875-1954) On the Pier (Am Steg) Oil on canvas 31-1/2 x 32 inches (80.0 x 81.3 cm) Signed lower right: Cucuel Signed and titled on the stretcher: "Am Steg" / Cucuel Signed on the reverse: Cucuel Property from the Collection of a Distinguished Academic Woman PROVENANCE: The Altmann family (of the Altmann-Schmidt publishing company), circa 1920s; Josef Altmann, Sr., Münster, Germany, by descent from the above; Estate of Josef Altmann, Sr.; Hollis Taggart Galleries, Inc., New York; Acquired by the present owner from the above, 2006. LITERATURE: B.F. von Ostini, Der Maler Edward Cucuel, Zurich, 1924, pl. 60. Edward Cucuel's On the Pier exemplifies the artist's remarkable ability to capture the effervescent beauty and delicate sensuality of women, standing as a shining example of Cucuel's deft hand and keen eye for the provocative interplay of light, color, and feminine grace in leisure settings. Cucuel emerged from the artistic milieu of San Francisco, his initial training rooted in the San Francisco School of Design. With a journalist father, young Cucuel honed his skills as an illustrator before venturing to Paris for formal studies at the Académies Julian and Colarossi and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts under Jean Léon Gérôme. Returning to the U.S. in 1896, Cucuel's illustration work in New York funded his subsequent European sojourn, where he eventually joined Munich's Scholle group, thriving among artists like Leo Putz who prized individual stylistic development. Cucuel, cultivating his distinct Impressionist style, often painted luminous scenes of everyday leisure and familial intimacy. Settling in Pasadena after leaving wartime Germany, Cucuel led a reclusive life until his death, leaving behind a legacy celebrated in salons and galleries across Europe and the U.S. In this serene yet evocative scene, Cucuel portrays a woman seated on a wooden pier, her figure bathed in natural light that dances across the water and through the atmosphere. Her pose is casual but carefully constructed to invite contemplation, her gaze turned away, lost in thought, adding a sense of mystery and allure. The composition masterfully balances the figure's luminous skin and the tactile quality of her white dress against the tranquil blues and greens of the water, creating a harmony of color that is quintessentially Impressionistic. Cucuel's expertise in rendering the human form, particularly the nuanced curves and gentle posture of his subject, is evident. The suggestion of movement, as the woman adjusts her stocking, adds a dynamic element to the otherwise still composition. It's this moment of unguarded intimacy that gives the painting a subtle but undeniable provocative charge, hinting at the narrative beyond the canvas. The artist presents a subject who is both at one with her surroundings and distinctly apart from them, echoing the dualities found within the fin-de-siècle societies that celebrated both the public spectacle and the private moment. The painting is not only a testament to Cucuel's skill as a painter of women, but also to his ability to infuse each work with an air of elegance and a sense of the fleeting moments of quietude. It stands as a particularly fine example from his oeuvre, embodying the spirit of his artistic vision and capturing the essence of an era that celebrated beauty in all its forms. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Unlined canvas. Taped along the tacking edges. Small 1 inch repair along the extreme left edge at center, with accompanying inpaint. A few small spots of inpaint in the sky, at center, not extending into the head. Tiny 1/8 inch spot of inpaint in the figure's hand as well as the foot. Faint stretcher bar lines visible in raking light. Discolored varnish. Scattered area of craquelure in the lower left quadrant. Framed Dimensions 42 X 42 Inches