Christian Von Schneidau (American/Swedish, 1893-1976). Summertime, circa 1924. Oil on canvas. 46 x 40 inches (116.8 x 10...

Description

Christian Von Schneidau (American/Swedish, 1893-1976)
Summertime, circa 1924
Oil on canvas
46 x 40 inches (116.8 x 101.6 cm)
Signed lower right: C. Von Schneidau
Bears inscription on the reverse: "Summertime" / P. 204 / C. Von Schneidau

Property of a Beverly Hills Collector

PROVENANCE:
Butterfields, San Francisco & Los Angeles, California, June 13, 1993, lot 898;
Bonhams & Butterfields, Los Angeles, California, April 8, 2008, lot 214;
Petersen Galleries, Beverly Hills, California;
Private collection, Beverly Hills, California.

EXHIBITED:
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California, 1924;
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California, 1986;
Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, California (and elsewhere), "A Time and Place," December 1, 1990-March 1991;
Laguna Beach Art Association Membership Exhibition, Laguna Beach, California, n.d;
Bakersfield Art Association, Bakersfield, California, n.d.

LITERATURE:
J.B. Dominik, C. Von Schneidau, Los Angeles, California, 1986, p. 52, illustrated.

Christian Von Schneidau's Summertime is a luminous celebration of leisure and natural beauty, painted with a mastery of light and color that epitomizes American Impressionism. In this idyllic scene, a reclining female figure basks in the warmth of the sun, surrounded by lush greenery. The figure is framed by trees, which part to reveal a peaceful, sun-drenched valley in the distance. Schneidau's expert use of dappled light and soft, sunlit hues brings the viewer into this moment of pure serenity, evoking the warmth and stillness of a summer afternoon.

Schneidau, an artist based in California, was known for his landscapes and portraits, often drawing on the Impressionist tradition of capturing fleeting moments in nature. In Summertime, he achieves a beautiful balance between the figure and the landscape, allowing the soft curves of the reclining woman to echo the natural forms of the surrounding trees and hills. The brushwork is loose yet deliberate, creating a sense of movement in the foliage while maintaining a strong focus on the human form. The figure, bathed in light, is rendered with a delicate palette that emphasizes the warmth of the sun on her skin and the tranquility of her surroundings.

What sets this painting apart is Schneidau's remarkable ability to blend realism with a dreamlike quality. The composition, while grounded in natural observation, carries a sense of idealized beauty-capturing not just a scene, but a mood. The vibrant greens, blues, and soft pastels imbue the work with a sense of harmony and peace, inviting the viewer into this intimate moment of relaxation. The use of light, particularly in the way it filters through the trees and illuminates the figure, is a testament to Schneidau's skill and his keen sensitivity to the effects of natural light.

Summertime encapsulates the best qualities of American Impressionism, emphasizing the beauty of the natural world and the human connection to it. Schneidau's treatment of the figure, combined with his mastery of light and atmosphere, makes this work a serene and captivating reflection of a perfect summer's day.


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