Pabst Painting on Auction Block at Sotheby's

One of the great paintings purchased by Captain Frederick Pabst in the 1890's has found its way to Sotheby's in New York City. Considered one of the finest paintings in the Pabst collection, Austrian born painter Eugen von Blaas' Lisa is one of the stars of the April 20th sale at the world famous auction house. This full length painting, nearly eight feet tall, is considered to be one of von Blaas' greatest works and it is easy to see why.

Captain Pabst acquired the painting in 1895 as he traveled throughout the Mediterranean with his wife and their youngest daughter, Emma. H. L. Neumann, an art dealer in Munich, brought the painting to the attention of Pabst. Pabst eventually purchased the painting for the tidy sum of $2,500. One must remember that the Pabst butler received an annual income of $600. Before the painting was to be sent to Milwaukee, Pabst had the artist make a few changes in regards to the painting as is mentioned in a letter from Neumann to Pabst. Once the painting was completed, it was crated and shipped from von Blaas' studio in Venice. The painting arrived in Milwaukee in time for the annual art exposition that was held every fall. Finally, the magnificent painting was brought to the Pabst Mansion and hoisted into place above the large console at the base of the staircase.

The location of where the painting was hung at the Pabst Mansion was a stroke of genius. As you came down the grand staircase, your eyes would have focused on the painting and its subject also descending a staircase in the direction of the hall. The painting hung in this location until 1906 when, after the death of Mrs. Pabst, the house was dismantled and divided among the heirs. For unknown reasons Lisa was sold to the Pabst Brewing Company and was installed in the main offices until 1985. The new owner of the Pabst Brewing Company ordered many of the original paintings to be taken down, which were then put into storage. Not until September of last year did the painting and its historical significance become apparent. Directors of S&P Company (parent company of Pabst Brewing Company), decided to send Lisa and eleven other paintings owned by Captain Pabst to New York for auction. Lisa, a painting that has not been on the market since 1895, is creating a great deal of buzz in the art world and is estimated at $300,000-$500,000 and could go much higher. We at the Pabst Mansion hope that as the painting continues its journey that someday she will finally return home.

If you'd like to watch the auction visit WWW.SOTHEBYS.COM.
For more info contact John C. Eastberg, Pabst Mansion Historian, 414-931-0808.