Fidus (Luebeck 1868-1948 Woltersdorf bei Berlin), also known as Hugo Hoeppener
"Göttliche Jugend, Frei nach Diefenbach" ["Divine Youth, after Diefenbach"], also known as "Tänzer" ["Dancer"] and as "Maiblumentänzer" [Mayflower Dancers"]
1893
ink, brush (black/grey), and pencil on paper
48 x 34,4 cm
signed lower right "Fidus"
inscribed lower right: "Frei nach Diefenbach"
This drawing is a loose copy by Fidus of Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach's Kindermusik, Bl. 5, circa 1881-1886. For Diefenbach's original, see Wagner, Claudia, Der Kunstler Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach (1851-1913), Meister und Mission, dissertation, Freien Universitait Berlin, 2007, ill. 32e.
Provenance:
Formerly in the collection of the industrialist Dr. Eugen Lucius (1834-1903), Frankfurt a.M./Schönstadt (who acquired the drawing circa 1900, which then passed by descent until its sale in 2016).
Publication History:
Der Turn- und Sportwart (Leipzig: Jahn-Verlag Pau Goldstein), as an art supplement to an issue of this periodical (publication date unknown), wherein titled "Maiblumentänzer" ["Mayflower Dancers"] and dated 1889, see below.
Bruyn, Wolfgang de, ed., Fidus, Künstler alles Lichtbaren (Berlin: Schelzky & Jeep, 1998) at 24.
Wagner, Claudia, Der Kunstler Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach (1851-1913), Meister und Mission, dissertation, Freien Universitait Berlin, 2007, ill. 34.
Michael Buhrs, ed., Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach (1851-1913) Lieber sterben, als meine Ideale verleugnen! (Munich: Museum Villa Stuck and Edition Minerva, 2009), pg. 115, ill. 93 (where titled "Tänzer" and dated 1889).
