A quaint representation of pastoral life in Europe in the 1800’s, this lovely oil on canvas painting depicts two young children and their dog at a well with a stone trough. A young blond girl with a blue headband and wearing a burgundy dress and green jacket can be seen with her lips pressed to the well spout. She is resting a basket of white yarn in her lap as she sits on the edge of the stone trough. There is a piece of timber between the girl and the young boy who is operating the well’s lever system. The shoeless lad with blue pants and white shirt stands on top of the reservoir, wearing a beige hat topped with a feather and a leather satchel over his right shoulder. A long-haired dog stands on its hind legs behind the children, lapping at the water in the trough. The skies above are overcast and a house behind the well has smoke emanating from the chimney. A giltwood frame with floral and foliate motifs surrounds the canvas, which is signed in the lower right corner: “F. Schlesinger”.

Felix Schlesinger was born in Hambrug, Germany in 1833. His older brother, Karl, was also a painter and the two of them received their training from Friedrich Heimerdinger at his Preparatory School for Artists. Schlesinger’s paintings were rustic in nature, often showing working class children involved in light-hearted activities. Some of Schlesinger’s subjects can be seen in multiple paintings, appearing at different stages of their lives. Known for his realistic interpretations, Schlesinger’s works can be found in museums across the world.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with light age separations and rubs to giltwood frame. Minor craquelure to the canvas, which has been professionally cleaned.