Joseph Karl Stieler came from Mainz and worked in François Gérard’s Paris studio before becoming a portraitist at the Bavarian court. His contrasts of light focus attention on faces. The Beethoven portrait of 1820, commissioned by the Brentano couple, shows the composer holding the manuscript of the Missa solemnis. Beethoven sat for this subsequently celebrated image.
In 1828, Stieler travelled to Weimar to prepare the portrait of Goethe requested by Ludwig I of Bavaria. The poet holds a sheet bearing verses written by the king. For the same patron, Stieler painted the thirty-six portraits of his Gallery of Beauties between 1827 and 1850, bringing together women from different social backgrounds. This ensemble is now displayed at Nymphenburg Palace.
This profile brings together identity references for Joseph Karl Stieler and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
Documented auction references
4auction references
2auction houses
Dobiaschofsky · Piguet
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References excluded from statistics: attributions and special lots
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Piguet · Lot 3251
Original title: Deux miniatures dont Beethoven d’après Joseph Karl Stieler
Medium — source: Miniatures ovales sur ivoire
Full catalogue description and documentary notes
Catalogue description — original language Beethoven d'après Joseph Karl Stieler (1781-1858) et P ortrait de Mme Elisabeth als Gärnerin , miniatures ovales sur ivoire, fin XIXe s, dans leurs cadres, 12x14 et 12x10 cm
Documentary attribution note — original language Paire de miniatures, dont Beethoven explicitement d’après Joseph Karl Stieler, dates exactes ; la seconde miniature n’est pas attribuée à Stieler. Rôle partiel et prix global obligatoires.
Auction date : 2015-06-15
After
A lot containing several works or parts. Any published price is for the whole lot and is excluded from statistics.
SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record. Profile updated :
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