WWII German Oil Painting of Artillery Feldwebel

Description

This original WWII German oil painting on board depicts a feldwebel (non-commissioned officer), as evidenced by the rank tresse, collar insignia, and single pip located on each shoulder board of his tunic. The red waffenfarbe piping on the tunic's placket, shoulder boards, collar, and collar tabs' backing denotes service in an artillery unit. Pinned to the feldwebel's tunic are the following awards: Eisernes Kreuz II 1939 (Iron Cross 2nd Class), Kriegsverdienstkreuz II mit Schwertern (War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords), Ostmedaille (for participating in the Russian front during the winter of 1941/42), Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung (4-years service medal), as well as the Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen (for fortifying the Westwall, or Siegfried Line, most likely awarded in 1944 during the second production run of the award). With this information, it can be discerned that the portrait was most likely painted sometime after 1944. The painting does not appear to exhibit an artist's signature; however, marked on its reverse is "12 Euro". It measures approximately 11 inches wide and 15 inches tall.

Provenance

In July of 2025, Gustafson's acquired the inventory of Circa1941. This piece was among those acquisitions.

Condition Report

This painting is in good condition, with minor surface wear.