August Algermissen (1872- after 1902) - Portrait of two sisters 1902 - Düsseldorf school

Sweet and large oil painting "Sisterly love" signed and dated 1902 by August Algermissen

The present painting depicts two sisters seated in an interior, the youngest is gleefully looking at the world around her, softly and safely cradled in her sisters' arms. The older child is looking at her sibling with love and tenderness, highlighting their special bond which will last a lifetime. We wonder if Algermissen might perhaps have been the father of the children who has captured this intimate family moment for all eternity?

August Algermissen was a German painter born on June 4, 1872 in Hildesheim. He specialised in genre and figurative depictions and was a member of the Düsseldorf School of painters. Algermissen attended the Düsseldorf Art Academy from 1890 to 1894. His teachers there included Heinrich Lauenstein, Hugo Crola, Adolf Schill, Arthur Kampf and, above all, Peter Janssen the Elder.

The Düsseldorf School of Painting emerged in the early 19th century and flourished particularly during the mid-19th century. It was centered around the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Academy of Art), which attracted students from across Europe and even beyond. The school's approach was deeply rooted in the tradition of Romanticism, emphasizing the depiction of nature and everyday life with a high degree of realism. A significant aspect of the Düsseldorf School was its influence on the development of academic art training. The academy in Düsseldorf was known for its rigorous curriculum, which emphasized meticulous draftsmanship and technical skill. Many of its students went on to become influential artists and teachers themselves, spreading the principles of the Düsseldorf School across Europe and beyond.

The Düsseldorf School of Painting, next to landscape painting, also made significant contributions to genre painting during the 19th century. Artists of the school had a keen eye for capturing the subtleties of human emotions and interactions, infusing their works with a sense of authenticity and intimacy. Their paintings often portrayed moments of daily life with a narrative quality, inviting viewers to empathize with the depicted characters and contemplate the human condition. Overall, genre painting played a significant role within the broader context of the Düsseldorf School, contributing to its reputation as a leading force in 19th-century European art. Through their genre paintings, Düsseldorf School artists captured the essence of everyday life while also showcasing their mastery of technique and their ability to evoke emotion and narrative in their works.

Dimensions:
The oil on canvas measures ca. 95 by 65 cms and with the frame (offered as a gift to the buyer) ca. 101 by 71 cms.

Provenance:
Private Collection Germany
Private Collection Brittany, France

Literature on the artist:
Hermann Board: Algermissen, August. In: Ulrich Thieme, Felix Becker (Hrsg.): Allgemeines Lexikon der Bildenden Künstler von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart. Begründet von Ulrich Thieme und Felix Becker.