Two Dogs, c. 1925

During her student years in Vienna from 1911 to 1916, Norbertine Bresslern-Roth (1891–1978) frequently visited the Schönbrunn Zoo to make drawings of animals. She later would continue such studies on travel to Lybia, Germany, Hungary, Dalmatia and Italy.
Norbertine Bresslern-Roth ranks, together with Ludwig Heinrich Jungnickel (1881-1965) and Carl Fahringer (1874–1952), among the most eminent animal painters of her time. Her works garnered international recognition, even in countries as far as Australia, Canada, the USA, and South-Africa.
The almost square sheet of around 1925 shows Two Dogs, which take up almost the entire picture space. The horizon line is drawn far up, which even intensifies the impression of flatness. The calm and playful character and portraiture-style effect of the two dogs were rendered with much sensitivity and after precise studies of the animals. The artist illustrated up to 500 children’s and textbooks.

EF, 2021