Mädchenkopf (Head of a Young Woman)
Painting on panel • Gabriel von Max (1840–1915)
Style & Movement
Munich School / Academic Realism with Symbolist or Romanticist undercurrents.
Medium & Technique
Oil on wood panel featuring fine sfumato, delicate glazing for flesh tones, and thin, controlled brushwork typical of Academic realism.
Creation Period
Circa 1880–1890
Dimensions & Format
27 cm x 20 cm (Composition); 39 cm x 35 cm x 5 cm (Framed). Vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A bust-length portrait of a young woman with auburn hair turned in a three-quarter profile. She is draped in a dark red mantle over a white chemise. Her gaze is pensive and directed downward, typical of Max’s 'Seelenmalerei' (painting of souls), which emphasized psychological depth, melancholy, and a spiritual or ethereal quality.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good (Restored). The surface appears stable with well-integrated restorations and a clear varnish layer.
Estimated Market Value
$6,000 – $9,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$4,000 – $7,000 USD
Provenance History
Attributed to the artist's mature Munich period. Includes a decorative nameplate on the frame ('Gabriel Max'); likely descended through private European collections where the artist's cabinet-sized works were highly sought after.
Art Historical Significance
Gabriel von Max was a central figure in the Munich School, known for blending scientific interests (anthropology/spirituality) with art. This work is a premier example of his intimate female portraits, which served as bridges between traditional academic portraiture and the burgeoning Symbolist movement.
Notable Features
Features the artist's characteristic 'G. Max' signature or monogram in the upper right corner. The use of the deep red drapery against a cool, neutral background is a hallmark of his palette, designed to emphasize the luminous quality of the sitter's skin.
Condition Issues
Visible history of minor surface cleaning and local retouching; some slight thinning to the glazes in the background. Frame shows minor gilding loss and chips consistent with age.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity to prevent panel warping. Avoid direct UV exposure to protect delicate flesh-tone pigments. Display in the current period-style frame which provides structural support.
Collector Notes
Gabriel von Max (1840 Prague - 1915 Munich) oil on panel Overall measurements with the frame are 39 cm x 35 cm x 5 cm and the painting measuring 27 cm x 20 cm Cleaned and restored