SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
The German painter Robert Kummer, born in Dresden in 1810 and deceased in 1889, travelled through several regions of Europe and the Mediterranean. His travels are reflected concretely in his works: the Belém Tower, near Lisbon, is a motif he revisited in 1870 in a painting intended for an album of nineteen works. From 1826 to 1829, he studied at the Dresden Academy under Carl August Richter, before joining the studio of Johann Christian Clausen Dahl. An auction notice also describes him as the godson and pupil of Caspar David Friedrich.
Between 1832 and 1837, Kummer undertook a study trip to Italy, Dalmatia and Montenegro, and later stayed in Scotland in 1851. In 1868, he travelled to Cairo via Trieste and returned by way of Sicily, Naples and Rome. In 1859, he accompanied Prince George of Saxony to Portugal on the latter’s honeymoon. A biographical excerpt cited in the auction notice reports that the watercolour album associated with this Portuguese journey was made after his return, from memory and on the basis of rapid sketches made along the way. This account documents an approach in which travel notes were transformed into a body of work developed at a later date.
In Dresden, Kummer had been an honorary member of the Academy since 1848 and became a professor in 1859. He also took part in the founding of the German Art Cooperative and served on the board of the Hermann Foundation, which supports Saxon artists. For a view described as being associated with Belém, the notice records the old inscription “Thurm (sic !) Belem” on the reverse. The inscription “Rob. Kummer” at the lower right is, by contrast, identified as being in another hand.
This profile brings together identity references for Robert Kummer and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
Dobiaschofsky · Lempertz · Schuler
References include catalogue entries and available results; they do not all represent completed sales. Attributed works and special lots are excluded from the priced results.
Oil on cardboard
Sizilianische Küstenlandschaft mit Blick auf den Monte Pellegrino
Öl auf Karton
Auction date : 2023-11-18
Published result : 3276 EUR
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : 2500
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Oil on artist’s board
Landschaft mit Pferden und Reiter.
Öl auf Malkarton
Catalogue period : 2023-11-11
Published result : 420 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 700
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Oil on cardboard
Die Blaue Grotte auf Capri
Öl auf Karton
Auction date : 2023-05-20
Published result : 3150 EUR
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : 3000
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Bleistiftzeichnung, weiss gehöht
Catalogue period : 2020-06-22
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
Estimate : CHF 200–300
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Bleistiftzeichnung, weiss gehöht
Catalogue period : 2019-12-09
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
Estimate : CHF 400–700
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Oil on canvas
Landschaft mit Blick auf das Schloss von Duino bei Triest
Öl auf Leinwand
Auction date : 2019-11-16
Published result : 44640 EUR
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : 10000
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Oil on canvas
Blick auf einen Gebirgssee (Lago Maggiore?)
Öl auf Leinwand
Auction date : 2016-03-16
Published result : 2480 EUR
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : 1500
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
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