An imposing, muscular impasto oil on board, unsigned, after Hans Bohrdt (1854-1945). Original period solid Oak picture frame. I can't find any record of the original painting, see artist notes for the story of how his works were almost all destroyed.

Dramatic scale and fashionable saturated tones of 1930s colour, which remind us of mid century Technicolor film. The whole image is indeed cinematic. We can see it hanging in a character den with comfortable leather chairs, near a well stocked bar cart, by soft lamplight.

The painting alone without frame measures a grand 95cm x 64cm or 37.5 x 25.2 inches.

The artist has used bold colour and broad impasto palette knife strokes to give this painting texture. They’ve shown particular skill with their use of more modish, saturated and decorative colours, but skilfully managed to retain and express Bohrdt’s composition and dramatic sensibility.

It would be rare indeed to find an original Bohrdt of this scale, in this condition. Here we can enjoy his work in oil on board, interpreted by an appreciative fellow artist.

I've seen an image of the original Bohrdt print on which this work is based. The print is signed ‘Hans Bohrdt’ lower left. Our painting is unsigned.

MEASURES:

64cm H x 95cm W x 12cm D painting

84cm × 115cm with frame

CONDITION:

Very good. Some of the gold inner slip has been re-glued where it was split but looks good. The Oak has been cleaned and waxed. There are a couple of dents about 1cm on the lower right edge of the frame. See images. Surface of painting professionally cleaned.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Bohrdt was an important German marine artist. His particular skill was in capturing the expansive sense of freedom and adventure evoked by ships at sail or under steam. He went on to illustrate shipping as a commercial artist for travel posters and as a marine artist in his own right. He was recognised by Emperor Wilhelm II for his skill as a marine painter.

Bohrdt’s works are beautifully composed. This painting is an excellent example of his style. The sparse and snowy landscape acts as an austere, dramatic backdrop to the glory of a ship setting full sail.

Many of Bohrdt’s works were lost in the bombing of Germany towards the end of WWII. However, they had previously been sold as large format prints prior to the war and these were popular across Europe, the UK and Australia. Much of what is known about Bohrdt’s work comes from these surviving prints.

We believe this unsigned painting has been made by an admirer of his work, using one such large format print, probably around the mid 1930s. It appears a print has been mounted on board and used as the background sketch for this painting.