"The Burgrave's Farewell" Lot no. 4111
By Francis Xavier Leyendecker (American, 1877-1924)
1904 (Estimated)
21.00" x 17.00", Framed 26.00" x 22.00"
Oil Mounted to Board
Signed Lower Right
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Titled The Burgrave's Farewell (along top under mat); Image size: 20 1/2 by 16 3/4 inches (52.1 by 42.5 cm), Board size: 24 by 17 3/4 inches (61 by 45.1 cm). The present work appeared as the cover for the December,1904 edition of Collier's magazine. Burgrave (or burgraff, in German) is the English term for a German noble and hereditary title, dating to the 11th and 12th centuries. It originally referred to the ruler of a castle or fortified town (a burg, in German), but over the centuries the title has grown in prominence to that of quasi-princely status.
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See all original artwork by Francis Xavier Leyendecker
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Germany, Francis Xavier Leyendecker was very competent, but was always overshadowed by his older brother. Francis's work was more sensitive, and highly detailed, but it never matched the assurance and dramatic poster quality of Joseph's. Francis also painted covers for leading publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Vogue, and notably, Collier's. He later designed stained-glass windows.
The two brothers never married. They worked together in a large studio estate in New Rochelle. The fascinating story of their personal lives is related in Norman Rockwell's book My Adventures of an Illustrator.