ROBERT ALOTT (1859-1910)

CL104

Oil on panel

R. Alott 1888

53.00 cm wide   26.00 cm high

20.87 inches wide  10.24 inches high

Excellent

Robert Kronabetter Alott was an Austrian painter who specialised in paintings of the seaside and Italian views. He had a very refined and precise technique and his paintings are often warm and sunny in their tone, taking full advantage of the Mediterranean light. As is evident in this charming painting he enjoyed depicting the various different characters who frequented the seaside in the late nineteenth century and expertly captured the decorum in the Victorian approach to seaside fashion and etiquette. Particularly interesting is the rare depiction of that icon of the Victorian age, the Penny Farthing bicycle. Developed between 1870 and 1878, it was at one time the fastest machine on the road and propelled the bicycle craze of the 1880’s. Riding a Penny Farthing on the beach was popular as the bicycle was notoriously tricky to ride due to the danger of being propelled forward over the bicycle in what became known as a header. It is also clear from the painting that many people of the period were reluctant to undress by the seaside. This Victorian modesty is apparent in both the elegantly attired ladies on the beach and the fully dressed gentleman wading into the sea carrying his wife.

Please email or call for more information or to purchase this item.

FOR SALE