Tina Blau (1845–1916)
Traveler with Walking Stick
Oil on canvas laid to board
Canvas: 19 × 11 ¾ in.
This portrait depicts an elderly traveler leaning heavily on his walking stick, his weathered features and humble clothing conveying both hardship and dignity. Blau’s sensitive handling of paint highlights the textures of fabric, skin, and wood, while her restrained palette emphasizes the somber, contemplative mood of the work.
Though primarily celebrated for her landscapes, Blau occasionally turned to figure painting, where she applied the same keen eye for observation and naturalism. In this piece, the solitary figure—captured with honesty and empathy—reveals her ability to convey both physical presence and psychological depth.
Provenance: Estate of Taussig, Riverside Drive, Manhattan
Markings: Signed lower right, possibly with estate stamp; verso with estate stamp
