Leopold Schmutzler (German, 1864-1941) A Summer dream Oil on canvas Signed `L Schmutzler’ (lower right) 44 x 32 in. (112 x 81 cm.) Provenance: Christie’s London, 26 June 1998, lot 149 Schmultzer was the son of a saddler and innkeeper, who also gave him his first drawing lessons. From 1880 to 1882, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna with Christian Griepenkerl (the person who later rejected Hitler's application to the Academy). After that, he transferred to the Academy of Fine Arts Munich and studied with Otto Seitz. By the turn of the century, he had become one of the busiest portrait painters in Munich. He received important commissions from the Bavarian Royal Family, but also portrayed dancers and other popular performers. In fact, one of his best-known portraits was of the actress Lili Marberg (1876–1962) in the role of Salome. His style was generally realistic with Art-Deco elements. He always paid great attention to his subject's clothing but, conversely, also painted many nudes. Full condition report: Oil on canvas, not relined, paint surface is in good order, good impasto, surface dirt and varnish discolouration, some blooming to the varnish upper left, some minor paint shrinkage to the upper left and cracquelure. Two very small areas of blue to the reverse suggest there has been stabilization to middle left and middle right, in a gilt composite frame, with some surface dirt and a few chips and losses, overall in good condition.