Lot Essay
Koester's works were highly collected and he was awarded medals in Berlin, Munich, St. Louis, London, Paris and Venice. His works were so highly regarded that in 1907 the King of Italy ????? purchased Ducks resting and in in 1910 the King of England acquired Sunny Forest. In 1912 the President of France ???? purchased Fairy-tale forest.
Koester along with Heinrich von Zgel is one of the most important Impressionist animal painters from the Munich School. Originally pressured by his family to become a pharmacist, Koester abandoned his studies and entered the Staatliche Kunsthalle in Karlsruhe. There he trained under the most talented painters in Germany such as Carl Hoff, Claus Meyer, von Zgel and Leopold von Kalckreuth. Koester's main residence was in Munich but he spent most of his time painting in Klausen in the Tirol. His early pictures were genre scenes of Tyrolian folk life and landscapes. Later, he specialized in painting ducks and it was these pictures that established his reputation.
Koester along with Heinrich von Zgel is one of the most important Impressionist animal painters from the Munich School. Originally pressured by his family to become a pharmacist, Koester abandoned his studies and entered the Staatliche Kunsthalle in Karlsruhe. There he trained under the most talented painters in Germany such as Carl Hoff, Claus Meyer, von Zgel and Leopold von Kalckreuth. Koester's main residence was in Munich but he spent most of his time painting in Klausen in the Tirol. His early pictures were genre scenes of Tyrolian folk life and landscapes. Later, he specialized in painting ducks and it was these pictures that established his reputation.