Oil on cardboard, laid on panel. Signed and dated in the moist paint in the upper margin. With a label inscribed by Elisabeth Nöldeke on the reverse, as well as with a label numbered by hand. 14.9 x 8.9 cm.
With a confirmation of authenticity on the reverse, as well as with the ownership note of Elisabeth Nöldeke dated Februar 5, 1925.
LITERATURE: Hans Georg Gmelin, Wilhelm Busch als Maler, Berlin 1981, p. 282, no. 375 (illu.). - - Hugo Helbing, Munich, auction on July 14, 1925, lot 35. Auction house Neumeister, Munich, 168th auction, May 12/13, 1976, lot 1558. Villa Grisebach, Berlin, 72nd auction, June 5, 1999, lot 113 (illu.).

From the artist's estate. Elisabeth Nöldeke (1925). Art dealer Adrian Lucas Müller, Dresden/Weißer Hirsch (1925). Art dealer Hugo Biechteler, Kempten (acquired from the above through Hugo Helbing, Munich, on July 14, 1925). M. Breyer Collection, Kempten (presunably obtained from the above). Private collection Lower Saxony

Wilhelm Busch is probably best known to most people as a draftsman who explores the small weaknesses, peculiarities and maliciousness of human nature with a sharp pen. Throughout his life, Busch struggled with his own self-image as a painter. In addition to numerous landscapes, he also created smaller genre scenes that reveal his admiration for the Dutch school. It is the rural environment that Busch makes the subject of his mostly small oil paintings. In his genre scenes, he was guided by the Dutch models of the 17th century, above all Adriaen van Ostade and Adriaen Brouwer. Genre scenes of this kind allow an account of the simple things as a profound aspect of life. The tonality of his painting and the spontaneous brushstroke lend his art a density that one wouldn't normally expect from such a small format. The dark tonality in particular demonstrates that Busch did not employ pleasing aesthetics, but that he rather aimed at the humane in the viewer. [KT]

In good condition. Isolated small retouched spots in the upper and lower edge. Center with small, horizontal irregularities in the background under the paint layer, lower edge of the image unobtrusively rubbed. The condition report was compiled in daylight with the help of an ultraviolet light and to the best of knowledge.