Painting

Pair of Antique Victorian Gilt-Framed Prints by Cölestin Brügner – Seasonal Landscapes – c.1890–1910

A beautiful matching pair of genuine late-Victorian / Edwardian framed landscape prints after the German landscape artist Cölestin Brügner (1824–1887).

The two atmospheric scenes provide a wonderful summer and winter contrast, with both works presented in matching, substantial gilt frames.

1. Summer – River Elbe / Riverside Landscape

A picturesque riverside scene featuring windmills, fishing/cargo boats and figures, with the period inscription “RIVER ELBE” visible within the image.

The composition reflects Brügner’s romantic European landscape style, with extensive water, shipping and windmill imagery.

2. Winter Landscape

A dramatically atmospheric winter scene showing a snow-covered windmill, frozen water, boats and figures on the ice.

The muted winter palette provides an excellent contrast to the warmer summer composition.

Period production

Both are genuine period prints, believed to date from approximately 1890–1910, produced using the chromolithographic/oleographic techniques popular for high-quality decorative art at the time.

The surface has a distinctive mechanically produced canvas/brushstroke texture, giving the images the appearance of oil paintings when viewed from normal hanging distance.

Original matching Victorian frames

The frames are a particularly attractive feature:

Heavy gilt Victorian-style frames
Matching cream-coloured wooden liners
Decorative bead-and-reel detailing
Original period presentation
Both identical in size, making them ideal for symmetrical display

The reverses retain convincing age-related features including foxing to the backing boards and heavily oxidised original iron brads. The hanging cords have been replaced with new cotton cord for safe display.

Details

Artist: Cölestin Brügner (1824–1887), after
Date: c.1890–1910
Medium: Period chromolithographic/oleographic prints
Subject: European riverside landscape / River Elbe and winter landscape
Pair: Matching seasonal compositions
Frames: Matching gilt period frames
Condition: Very good overall antique condition with expected age-related characteristics
Size: 31.5 × 25.5 cm each
Quantity: 2 gilt framed pictures

A particularly attractive decorative pair, ideal for a period home, traditional hallway, dining room, study, country house or collector of Victorian landscape art.

A genuine period pair with substantial original frames — not modern wall-art reproductions.

Collection preferred due to the glass and fragile gilt frames.