Lot number 2369 - Auction 146
KONRAD DREHE, 1902

FRANZ SERAPH VON LENBACH 1836 Schrobenhausen - 1904 Munich KONRAD DREHE, 1902 Oil on board. 77 x 61 cm (F. 93 x 75 cm). Signed. Slightly soiled, partially scratched. Framed. Provenance: Private collection. Franz von Lenbach was one of the most significant portrait painters of his time. In an era of a rising bourgeoisie, he created a new type of portrait that broke away from Biedermeier traditions and reflected the spirit of the age. His works captured not only the physical likeness of his subjects but also their social status, self-confidence, and ambitions. Unlike photography, which adhered to classical conventions, contemporary portrait painting-led by artists like Lenbach-gained greater freedom and expressiveness. Lenbach sought to portray not only the appearance but also the character of his distinguished contemporaries from the aristocracy, politics, and the arts. His portraits are marked by a sense of grandeur and psychological depth, making them emblematic of their time.