Trübner, Wilhelm (1851-1917), Female Nude Sitting on a Sofa, c. 1900

Wilhelm Trübner(1851 Heidelberg - 1917 Karlsruhe), Female Nude Sitting on a Sofa , around 1900. Pencil drawing, 32.5 x 48.5 cm, monogrammed “W.T.” lower left and inscribed on the reverse.

- Marginal areas with slight creases, somewhat dusty and minimally stained

- Femme Fatal -

Vertically measuring the picture, the woman sits in the left corner of the sofa but marks her territory with her raised leg. Her arm position is casual yet expansive. Her shoe and bracelet accentuate her nudity, yet the woman looking directly at us exudes an aura of aloofness, making her appear like a goddess enthroned on the sofa. This effect is created primarily by her motionless, sublime face, emphasized by the shadowed background.

About the artist

Wilhelm Trübner began an apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 1867 to follow in his father's footsteps. However, his artistic talent was discovered by Anselm Feuerbach, who advised him to study at the Karlsruhe Art Academy. In 1869, Trübner transferred to the Munich Academy, where he came into contact with the "Leibl Circle." Together with Carl Schuch, Trübner discovered the landscape as an artistic subject. After meeting Wilhelm Leibl, Trübner turned his back on the academy. This was followed by study trips to Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Trübner was in close artistic contact with Hans Thoma, Lovis Corinth, Max Slevogt, and Max Liebermann. In 1888, the Gurlitt Gallery organized a Trübner exhibition, which made him famous in Berlin. After becoming a sought-after artist, with works purchased by museums, he moved to Frankfurt in 1895 to teach at the Städelsches Kunstinstitut. He was appointed professor there in 1898. Trübner joined the Berlin Secession in 1903 and the Freie Secession in 1914. From 1903 to 1917, Trübner was a professor at the Karlsruhe Art Academy, serving as director from 1904 to 1910. Due to health issues, Trübner was unable to accept the invitation to the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts in 1917.