Regina Sophie Karoline Schider, née Kirchdorffer, called Lina (1854–1927) in the traditional costume of the Markgräflerland [region in the southwest of Germany]
Framesize 175.20 x 125.00 x 6.00 cm
This undated portrait shows Lina Schider, née Kirchdorfer, cousin of Wilhelm Leibl (1844–1900), and from 1872 Fritz Schider’s wife. She is dressed in traditional Upper-Rhenish costume, with the characteristic black wing hood, called the “horns cap”, and the white Milanese shawl. The fact that this attire was worn only on high feast days or weddings, together with the (engagement) ring on her left hand and a bouquet of wild roses, suggest that the picture dates from around 1872.
This was the time when Schider caused a stir with his paintings, particularly with his Chinese Tower in the English Garden in Munich 1873 (Kunstmuseum Basel). In several versions of this he anticipated Impressionist trends. A smooth sketch-like style made him the most progressive artist in the group around Wilhelm Leibl, and a precursor of German Impressionism.
In the portrayal of his young wife, Schider shows his sense of pictorial structure, combining it with realism and a style of painting adapted to the subject.
The botanical accuracy of various foliage plants, the blooming oleander, the nasturtiums and the runner-beans in the basket subtly contrasts the patchy elaboration of the clothing and the large bright wall in the background.
He did not, however, continue in this direction. A particularly precise and thorough rendering became increasingly important to him; in his later works he returned to an overall traditional fine-painting style.
OEHRING Erika: Schider Fritz, Regina Sophie Karoline Schider, in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, p. 160