Iconic German KPM Belle Époque Porcelain Plaque, “Neapolitan Fisher Boy” After Gustav Richter, Signed L. Hess (Heß), Circa 1890
Art, Newly AcquiredThis exceptional late nineteenth-century German hard-paste porcelain plaque showcases the absolute pinnacle of Belle Époque fine art porcelain decoration. Produced by the historic Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) in Berlin, Germany, around the turn of the century between 1890 and 1900, the oval plaque beautifully captures the romanticized essence of nineteenth-century European portraiture. The piece features a masterful, hand-painted portrait of a young boy from Naples, characterized by deep, soulful eyes, tousled dark curls, a gold medallion necklace, and a loose white shirt with a brown jacket draped casually over his right shoulder. The luminous, translucent quality of the skin tones and the finely detailed textures demonstrate the exceptional precision achieved only by Berlin’s master porcelain decorators. The piece is clearly signed on the lower left edge of the portrait by the celebrated German porcelain painter L. Hess (Heß).
The captivating composition is executed after the famous original master canvas by the celebrated German painter Gustav Karl Ludwig Richter (1823–1884), whose romanticized portraits of Italian and Mediterranean figures were highly coveted across Europe. Known widely as the “Neapolitan Fisher Boy” or “Young Neapolitan,” this image became an iconic representation of the nineteenth-century “Ideal Beauty” genre. Porcelain decorators at the KPM workshops frequently adapted Richter’s most popular portrait compositions onto high-fired porcelain blanks, freezing the delicate depth of oil pigments into a permanent, glassy mineral surface that remains intensely sought after by elite global art collectors.
The oval porcelain masterpiece is spectacularly presented inside its magnificent, original multi-tier gilt wood and gesso exhibition frame. The substantial, deep-profile frame is intricately embellished with high-relief scrolling acanthus leaves, stylized shell cartouches, delicate ribbons, and climbing floral garland swags running along the top and bottom borders. The radiant gold surface of the frame creates a spectacular visual border that accentuates the soft, atmospheric cloud gradient behind the subject, drawing the eye directly into the enchanting close-to-nature expression of the boy.
Both the porcelain plaque and its exquisite frame survive in excellent antique condition. This magnificent, museum-quality showpiece presents a superb investment opportunity for any collector of fine European porcelain, historic German portraiture, or high-luxury late nineteenth-century decorative arts.
Dimensions: Image: height 7.25″ x width 5.25 Frame: height 15″ x width 12.25″
$3,850.00
1 in stock
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