Victor Wehrle Anfruns (19th - Early 20th Century) Study of a Nude Boy .. circa 1900-1930

The low light levels and short days through the winter have taken their toll on an old dude but I’m up and at it again! I apologize for the lack of posts lately but life is full of challenges at my age and it takes time to recover from the “Winter Maiden’s” curse of low light. There is so much territory to cover so I would like to start with my very latest acquisition. It is an oils on canvas academic nude study of a boy from the early 20th century by the Spanish artist Victor Wehrle Afruns (Late 19th -Early 20th Century). The seller in Barcelona, Spain has listed a good number of academic nude paintings attributed to the same artist with the usual, somewhat boring, academic poses featured in the majority of academic nude studies but the pose captured in this painting of a nude boy struck my collecting eye as quite unique, one that these old eyes has never seen before. Standing nudes seem to be de rigueur, poses range all over the spectrum, standing, back side, front side, side views, and all those “losers late for class” views which nobody in their right mind would paint and which defy even Michelangelo to make the end product interesting! But a sitting male nude with full access to the most private parts of his sexual anatomy is just so much more inticing, interesting, down right naughty, and unique in the world of academic nude study. Now step back and take a close look at the overall format of this pose. Ask yourself: “Where is the center of gravity in this studio pose?“ (You will be forgiven if his “sex” is your correct answer). The model’s attention is poised on something on the top of his right foot (an imaginary tick?) but the astute viewer’s attention on the real focus of that pose is on that singular classic Greek acroposthion of the young lads penis! It’s right there, it’s in your face, and it’s as natural as the 3.5 million years of evolution that it took to produce it! It’s beautiful in its own right! It’s as natural as sunshine! Now ask yourself: How many times have you seen that pose in an academic nude study? I will wager “not very often” or if you said… “Never,” then I rest my case on why this painting is coming into my collection! Unfortunately there is not very much biographical information on the artist out there but his academic studies speak for themselves! Enjoy. ______________________________________________

___________________ Here are additional works listed for sale:

UPDATE: After a month of addition time which included additional fees for shipping and export licenses the painting finally arrived from the Art Gallery in Spain. When the package hit customs in Orlando, DHL socked me for additional import fees! And the moral of that story is if it has a home in Spain, then leave it there! My original intention was to send it out for restoration but after all the additional fees I am starting to wonder if it is worth the extra expense!

Unknown French Artist - 19th Century Male Nude - Elderly Bearded Man

I was on eBay France this morning when I came upon a very nicely executed academic male nude by an unknown French artist in late 19th century. The asking price is a bit expensive for an unknown work but the beauty of the artist's skills persist. Here is the description (translated from the French) which was included in the listing: ---------------- "This is an oil on canvas that presents a nude academy or nude study, typical of classical 19th century art. In the center of the composition, we find a naked old man sitting on a stool. The painter did a remarkable job capturing the model's complexion with beautiful definition. The details are so fine that they make it appear as if the model is in person in the room. Unfortunately, the artist's signature is at the bottom right, but it has become illegible over time. This work offers a fascinating insight into the artistic mastery of the period and the fascination with human anatomy in 19th century art." --------------- Enjoy!

Friedrich Ballenberger (1865-?) Charcoal Studies, Sitting Nude Boy, Standing Male… Sitzender Nackter Knabe Studie -Männlicher Halbakt

Last week I spotted several charcoal on paper academic studies listed by one of my favorite eBay Sellers. I was taken aback by the detailed execution of both drawings by the German artist Friedrich Ballenberger (1865-?). The artist's ability to execute such a fine drawing of an academic nude subject just took my breath away. The artist had a well trained ability to accurately portray line and light. I programmed a bid and took both of the drawings, however, the seller contacted me several days later and informed me they could not send the drawing of the male nude because it was simply too large to mail. UGH! Such is the way of the Force unfortunately, so the one drawing of the nude boy will make it's way into my collection. __________ I managed to find some minimal biographic information on the artist________ Friedrich Ballenberger (1865-?) was a student at the Munich Academy during the later part of the 19th century. He specialized in portraits and landscapes, many of which were executed during his trips around Italy. _________Here is the one drawing that is coming into my collection:

__________ And here is the beautiful drawing that will be staying in Germany: ___________________