Sahlis Park (Melancholy, spring evening)

Details

Spielmann 1065.
Provenance: The artist’s estate; collection of Titus Felixmüller, the artist’s son; private ownership, Bavaria, acquired from the aforementioned, by descent to the present owner.

Description

According to the artist’s notes, the painting was created between 24 and 29 March 1946 and shows Sahlis Park, with a view of the tower and garages on the right and the Steigergarten in the background. Maria von Haugk, who later became Friedel Crusius’ wife, is standing in front on the left with her dog “Etsch”. Maria von Haugk, who came from a Polish aristocratic family, was a lifelong friend of Conrad Felixmüller and his wife Londa, whom she had known since childhood. At the time, she was considered one of the most beautiful women in Leipzig and was portrayed eleven times by Felixmüller between 1932 and 1937. After the end of the Second World War, she married Dr Friedel Crusius and moved in with him in Kohren-Sahlis, a manor house with a small baroque palace, and it was through Maria von Haugk that Conrad Felixmüller came into contact with Hanns Conon von der Gabelentz. From 1932 onwards, the latter was his most important collector and patron, especially during the difficult years of National Socialism.