19th century portrait painting in oils on canvas. Unsigned. Possibly after an engraving based on the well known Housmann portrait
Germany: 19th century.
The composer is depicted wearing a wig, a coat with buttons on the right hand side, a vest, and white blouse, his head turned slightly left.
610 x 510 mm.
Slightly worn; edges frayed; 8 small holes ranging in size from 3 to 50 mm; the name "Pryor" in blue pencil in large script to verso of canvas, possibly indicating a previous owner. Canvas nailed to old (original?) stretcher.
A comparison to images reproduced in Werner Neumann's iconographical work on Bach suggests that this rather crude portrait may be based on an early 19th century print such as either the 1802 Leipzig engraving by Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger or the 1842 Zwickau engraving by Johann Gottlob Henschke. See Neumann: Bilddokumente zur Lebensgeschichte Johann Sebastian Bachs p. 32, B 35 and 36.
"The most important member of the family, his genius combined outstanding performing musicianship with supreme creative powers in which forceful and original inventiveness, technical mastery, and intellectual control are perfectly balanced." Christoph Wolff and Walter Emery in Grove Music Online.
Item #41483
Price: $650.00 other currencies