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A Large Berlin (KPM) Porcelain Plaque Third Quarter 19th century. Property of the Estate of Geraldine Feder. In a carved Giltwood frame, painted after Winterhalter’s Florinde, signed Zapf lower left, the reversed impressed KPM and scepter mark with incised dimensions, the backboard lined with German newspapers dated 1872-3. 20 1.2 in. by 26 in. Franz Xaver Winterhalter’s original painting dated 1852 was given by Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, and was one of over a hundred works done for the Royal Family during his career. Smaller KPM plaques painted with the same subject are seen infrequently on the market. One from The Sydney Duckitt Collection measuring 11 by 13 inches sold Phillips London, April 7, 1993, lot 132. Another measuring 9 by 12 inches was offered at Sotheby’s New York, May 14, 1982, lot 36. The inspiration for the painting of Florinda is likely to have been Thalberg’s opera "Florinda" which opened in London in 1851. It depicts Florinda and her maidens seeking refuge from the heat in the palace garden and removing their clothes to bathe. King Rodrigo, spying through parted branches on the left, falls in love with Florinda, the dark-haired figure to the left of centre still to disrobe. See: Richard Ormond and Carol Blackett-Ord, Franz Xaver Winterhalter and the court of Europe 1830- 70, National Portrait Gallery, London, 1987, p. 195, plate 38. so76
Condition: Very Good