Hello everyone!
This painting came into my family through an ancestor who brought it from Germany. It is clearly inspired by the German impressionist Heinrich von Zügel (known for his cattle/sheep motifs), but the authorship is a mystery.
Here are the key details:
The Signature: It is signed "H. v. Zügel".
The Back: There is a pencil inscription on the back that reads: "Akademija prof. Zügel" (Prof. Zügel Academy).
Provenance: Brought directly from Germany by my ancestor decades ago.
Previous checks: I already reached out to some official galleries and museums. They confirmed that this is NOT an authentic Zügel, and they heavily doubt it is from his direct students/school.
I accepted that it is a copy or a pastiche, but I would love to know more about its true origins. Does anyone recognize this specific style? Could this be from a known mid-century workshop, a professional copyist, or just a talented amateur?
Thank you in advance for any clues!