No Love Without Envy By Eugen Von Blaas

Eugen von Blaas
Italian I 1843-1932

No Love Without Envy

Signed and dated "Eugen von Blaas 1901" (lower right)
Oil on canvas

Eugen von Blaas masterfully captured the spirit and charm of Venice, and No Love Without Envy stands as one of his most exceptional compositions. Larger and more finely detailed than many of his works, this grand painting reflects his unparalleled mastery of light, color and narrative. Rich in detail and emotion, this scene is believed to feature a stylized self-portrait of the artist alongside his wife, Paola Prina.

Set in a sun-drenched Venetian courtyard, the composition brims with life and intrigue. At its center, an orange seller—modeled by Prina—engages in a flirtatious exchange with an admirer, the artist himself, while three onlookers observe with amusement and envy. The interplay of light and texture is remarkable: von Blaas' exquisite brushwork renders the delicate lace, sumptuous fabrics and intricately adorned garments with near-photographic precision, while the soft flesh tones contrast beautifully against the timeworn stonework of Venice. This attention to detail, combined with the work’s luminous palette, creates a sense of immediacy and warmth that defines the best of von Blaas' Venetian genre paintings.

Born in 1843 to Austrian parents in Italy, von Blaas was raised in a household steeped in artistic tradition. His father, Karl Blaas, was a renowned portraitist and history painter, while his brother specialized in military scenes. When Karl was appointed professor at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts, the family relocated to the floating city—a move that profoundly shaped von Blaas’ artistic vision. Though he studied in Rome, Vienna and Paris, it was Venice that remained his greatest muse. Captivated by its light, architecture and everyday moments of romance and social interplay, he became the foremost painter of Venetian genre scenes.

During Venice’s Austrian rule, von Blaas adopted the Italianized name “Eugen de Blaas” for his local clientele, while retaining “von Blaas” for his Austrian patrons. His works were widely exhibited throughout Europe, including at the Royal Academy, Grafton Gallery and New Gallery between 1875 and 1892, earning him international acclaim. Today, his paintings remain highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike, prized for their technical brilliance and timeless charm.

Katharina Seyffertitz-Blaas has confirmed that this is an autographed work by Eugen von Blaas.

Dated 1901

Canvas: 39 3/4“ high x 47 3/4” wide
Frame: 48 3/8“ high by 56 1/4” wide x 3“ deep

This monumental work by Eugen von Blaas is one of his very finest

The orange seller is modeled by the artist's wife, Prina, and the suitor is the artist himself

Eugen von Blaas masterfully captured the spirit and charm of Venice like no other