This dynamic figural scene entitled “Grape Harvesters” was painted by Belgian artist Charles Augustin Wauters (b. 1811, d. 1869). He studied in Paris as well as at the Mechelen and Antwerp Academies, notably under Phillips-Jacques van Bree. Wauters was a member of the Amsterdam Academy and Director of the Academy of Mechelen, and was awarded two great medals at Brussels. There is a monument in Antwerp commemorating him at St. Andrew’s Church. His works are housed in the Rijksmuseum, the Bruce Castle Museum, the British Museum, and the Museum of Karlsruhe.  

Signed “Charles Wauters 1841” in lower right corner.

Medium: oil on cradled wood panel

Size of panel: 22 3/4” x 18 1/8” Outside size of frame: 29 3/4” x 25 1/8”

Year of creation: 1841

Condition: The painting surface is freshly cleaned and new dammar varnish applied. The previous discolored varnish has been removed mechanically. A vertical split in the panel has been repaired with an extensive cradling of the panel. Small areas of fillings and scattered fleck inpainting. Ground and paint layers are sound and present well. 

High Auction Result: 05/21/2007, $7565