Great 19th century painting signed C. Huber

COD 01094. A splendid painting from the second half of the 19th century. Oil on board artwork, signed C. Huber on the lower left, attributed to the Austrian painter and graphic artist Carl Rudolf Huber (1839-1896), professor of fine arts at the Vienna Academy. This artwork, of excellent pictorial quality, perfectly represents Huber's signature style, known above all for his lively and ironic genre paintings. The scene depicts a smiling friar captured in a moment of smug repose. In his left hand, he clutches a bunch of keys, a symbol of his profession and control of the wine cellar, while in his right he raises a glass of wine, evidently savoring the fruit of his labor. Above a barrel, a beautifully decorated terracotta jug introduces a chromatic note that balances the warm tones of the composition. The painting is particularly appealing to collectors of 19th-century paintings given its lively and original subject, which celebrates the joy of living. This painting can easily be placed in different areas of the home, ideal for a restaurant or historic cellar, lending the space a refined, traditional tone and authentic hospitality. The scenic, highly decorative contemporary wood and plaster frame shows some signs of age. The painting is in overall good condition. Internal dimensions: H 99.5 X W 68.5 cm.