Hubert Salentin (1822 Zülpich - 1910 Düsseldorf), The story-telling shepherd

oil on canvas, 80 cm x 106,5 cm, signed, 1870 dated, Düsseldorf locally assigned, relined, restored, craquelure, small scratches in places, small paint chippings in places, partially stainspotted, Provenance: Galerie Wimmer & Co, Munich, Literature: Cat. rais. Neher 173, with col. ill. p. 251, Christie's (New York) 29.5.1981, Weltkunst 15.10.1983

Hubert Salentin was born in Zülpich and grew up in the Rhine Province. Despite discovering his passion for art at a young age and working as a portrait painter, Salentin initially spent 14 years of his professional life as a nail smith before devoting himself entirely to painting. In 1850 he enrolled at the renowned Düsseldorf Art Academy, where he studied under professors Carl Ferdinand Sohn, Adolph Tidemand and as a master student under Wilhelm von Schadow, the co-founder of the Düsseldorf School of Painting. During his time at the Düsseldorf Academy, Salentin developed his own characteristic style with a preference for the atmospheric depiction of simple rural life. Salentin's ability to capture the essence of rural life made him a renowned painter of the 19th century and so, from today's perspective, his works seem to the viewer like a mirror of his time. The painting "The Telling Shepherd" shows an elderly gentleman, dressed like a wandering scholar, sitting on a rock in an idyllic atmosphere. He is watched by lovely children's eyes who listen to his little reading. It is noticeable that these are only girls, dressed according to their wealthy or peasant background. As sweetly as they are shown here, they are certainly reciting poetry, for girls were not allowed to learn about science or achievements around 1870. The shepherd boys are to be found further back on the left side of the picture, sitting in the grass, their sheep resting on the right side of the picture - framing the quiet scene.