A Monumental 1889 Parisian Portrait, Oil on Canvas Masterpiece “The Young Scholar” by Female Swiss German Painter, Ottilie Roederstein (1859-1937), 1889 Silver Medalist Prize at the Prestigious 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris

This exceptional oil on canvas, dated 1889, is a masterwork by Ottilie W. Roederstein (1859–1937), a trailblazing female Swiss-German painter who became a leading figure in the male-dominated Parisian art world. Training under the celebrated masters Carolus-Duran and Jean-Jacques Henner, Roederstein developed a style that blended rigorous academic realism with a profound, modern psychological depth. This work was executed in Paris during the most pivotal year of her career—the same year she was awarded a Silver Medal at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. Following recent major retrospectives at the Städel Museum and Kunsthaus Zürich, Roederstein’s work is currently seeing a significant international market resurgence.

The painting offers a poignant glimpse into the Belle Époque, depicting a young French schoolboy in a moment of quiet reflection. Clad in a traditional dark school smock and a vibrant red beret—a classic symbol of French identity—the boy is surrounded by the tools of his education. At his feet lie an open alphabet book and a single apple, timeless symbols of knowledge and the fleeting nature of childhood. Roederstein’s mastery of light is on full display here; she utilizes a rich, moody palette to create a “chiaroscuro” effect, allowing the brilliant red of the beret and the luminous skin tones of the child to emerge from the atmospheric background.

Measuring an impressive 53.5″ x 27″, the monumental scale of this canvas indicates it was created as a major exhibition piece intended for a public Salon. The vertical composition lends the young subject a sense of dignity and stature, while the visible signature and “Paris 1889” inscription in the upper left corner firmly anchor the piece in the golden age of European painting. The work is housed in a period-correct, ornate gilded gallery frame, which adds a layer of historical gravitas and brings the total height to over five feet, ensuring a commanding presence in any setting.

As a work by a female artist who broke social barriers to achieve international acclaim, this painting is both a stunning aesthetic object and a vital piece of art history. Large-scale, dated works from Roederstein’s Parisian period are exceedingly rare outside of museum collections. This portrait represents a premier opportunity for a serious collector to acquire a museum-quality example of 19th-century portraiture at its most evocative.

This work carries a storied history, the painting is believed to have been in the private collection owned by Groucho Marx and appears prominently in multiple published photographs of the comedian taken inside his Los Angeles residence during the 1970s. The legendary American cultural icon Groucho Marx, known for his sharp wit and a private passion for fine art, was an avid collector of European paintings. The piece is further associated with the prestigious Odon Wagner Galleries, a premier authority on 19th-century European masterworks.

Roederstein was a trailblazing female artist who broke social barriers to achieve international acclaim, and this painting is not only a beautiful aesthetic object but also a significant document of art history. It represents a rare opportunity to own a large-scale, dated work from Roederstein’s most influential period. While the painting stands on its own as a museum-quality achievement by Roederstein, this link to “Old Hollywood” and a world-class gallery adds a layer of sophisticated allure and narrative depth that is highly prized by collectors.
Specifications:
  • Artist: Ottilie W. Roederstein (Swiss/German, 1859–1937)
  • Date: 1889
  • Medium: Oil on Canvas
  • Signature: Signed and dated “Paris 1889” (Upper Left)
  • Canvas Dimensions: 53.5″ H x 27″ W
  • Framed Dimensions: 63.5″ H x 37″ W x 2.75″ D

Product ID: 110188 Category:

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