Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck - image-1
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Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck - image-1Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck - image-2Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck - image-3Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck - image-4Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck - image-5Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck - image-6

Lot 346 Dα

Franz Seraph von Lenbach - Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck

Auction 1150 - overview Berlin
16.05.2020, 12:00 - The Prussian Sale
Estimate: 8.000 € - 9.000 €
Result: 20.000 € (incl. premium)

Franz Seraph von Lenbach

Portrait of Prince Otto von Bismarck

Oil on card. 90 x 78 cm.
Signed and dated lower right: F. Lenbach 1890.

The expressive, pastel coloured sections of this portrait create a stark contrast to the dark and vivid tones used throughout the rest of the work. As in many of his pieces, Lenbach once again uses the brown surface of the painter's card to his advantage, partially eschewing the use of an even ground to allow it to shine through and highlight areas of the sitter's skin through a lighter application of paint. This technique only becomes apparent upon a second glance at this work. The partially visible pencil underdrawing in the present composition is a further characteristic element of Lenbach's works on card.

We are pleased to report that this piece is accompanied by the original correspondence between Franz Seraph von Lenbach and its patron Geh. Commerzienrat F.C.TH. Heye, as well as a photograph of the painting in its original setting in the Heye family's salon on Rothenbaumchaussee 37/39 in Hamburg. The portrait is also housed in its original frame.

Provenance

Commissioned from the artist by Geh. Commerzienrat F.C.TH. Heye, Hamburg, Rothebaumchaussee 37/39 in 1890. Subsequently in continuous family ownership. Currently in the possession of one of Heye's great-great-grandchildren.

Literature

Heuer, Jan-Peter u. Heuer, Georg: Familie Heye - Eine Familie lernt sich kennen. Norderstedt. 2011, p. 24 (illus.).