This captivating portrait by Fritz Wagner, titled "Portrait of a Man," portrays a middle-aged man gazing with delight at a glass he holds in his hand. The man is depicted against a natural darker background, which contrasts beautifully with the luminous, saturated warm hues of the foreground, highlighting the subject.

The man, characterized by his elegant moustache and longer wavy hair, exudes an air of sophistication and contemplation. The simplicity of the classical compositional structure is elevated by the man's spontaneous pose, adding an element of dynamism and the unexpected to the piece.

Details:
Title: Portrait of a Man
Artist: Fritz Wagner
Medium: Oil
Date: Circa 1930
Dimensions: 24 x 18 cm
Condition: Overall good condition
Notes: Signed upper left

About the Artist:
Fritz Wagner was a renowned German still life and genre painter, celebrated for his warm-hued paintings of tavern scenes, revelrous drinkers, and card players. He often dressed Bavarian peasants in period costumes and placed them in genre settings, creating a nostalgic and vibrant atmosphere. Born on May 15, 1896, in Munich, Germany, Wagner received his formal training at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, and under the tutelage of artists Carl Roth and Robert Seitz in Munich.

Throughout his life, Wagner traveled extensively to Italy, Hungary, and Romania to study art, and he became a member of the National Association of Visual Artists of Germany. His works are known for their vivid portrayal of everyday life and their rich, warm palette. Wagner passed away on April 3, 1939, in Munich, Germany, leaving behind a legacy of evocative and lively genre paintings.

This portrait is a striking example of Fritz Wagner's ability to capture the essence of his subjects, blending classical composition with a touch of spontaneity and vibrancy, making it a distinguished addition to any collection.