Portrait of a Young Man (likely Karl-Heinz Schmidt-Rottluff)
Painting on canvas or board, presented in a guilt wood frame • Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Style & Movement
German Expressionism (Die Brücke)
Medium & Technique
Oil technique characterized by heavy impasto, wet-on-wet application, and visible, directional brushstrokes using a palette knife or stiff bristles.
Creation Period
1923 (as inscribed in the upper left corner)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 40 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A close-up, expressive portrait of a man, likely a self-portrait or a study of a close associate. The face is tilted significantly to the left, rendered in fragmented planes of red, ochre, and shadow. The background consists of abstract green and white foliage shapes, common in the artist's outdoor or garden motifs.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The paint film appears stable, though there is visible surface grime and minor abrasions along the frame edges.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $250,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$120,000 - $180,000 USD
Provenance History
Signature and date "S. Rottluff 1923" in upper left. Likely originated from a German private collection or estate given the artist's primary market geographic concentration.
Art Historical Significance
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff was a founding member of 'Die Brücke'. This 1923 work represents his post-WWI style where the harsh angularity of early woodcuts mellowed into a more painterly, color-driven expressionism, yet retained the raw emotional intensity of the movement.
Notable Features
Prominent stylistic signature and date in the upper left corner; the use of non-naturalistic color (vivid red on the ear and cheek) to convey psychological depth; characteristically 'Brücke' use of dark outlines to define forms against a lush, gestural background.
Condition Issues
Visible craquelure in areas of thickest impasto; minor paint loss at the extreme top edge; slight yellowing of varnish layer if present; accumulation of dust in the recesses of the impasto.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning by a qualified conservator; UV-protective glazing; placement in a climate-controlled environment avoiding direct sunlight to prevent pigment fading and further oil film embrittlement.