Lot 11 Dα

The present work is painted after a piece kept in the Kurpfälzisches Museum in Heidelberg which has been attributed to Johann Georg Dathan.
Clemens Perkeo was the court jester of Carl Philipp of Palatinate. The dwarf Perkeo, who was known for being able to hold his drink surprisingly well, was born in South Tyrol in 1700 and became court jester to the later Elector Carl Philipp in Heidelberg in 1717. There, among other positions, he was also appointed guardian of the famous Heidelberg Tun. In the present work he is shown against Schwetzinger Castle in the background, facing the viewer with a mocking gesture.
The back of the panel bears a handwritten label stating that Perkeo was also active at the Electoral court of Cologne: “Portrait of Perkeo, former button-maker, who, once employed as court jester at the Prince Elector's court in Cologne, destroyed his workshop in a fit of joy” (from the German).