Anton Graff
Portrait of Emanuel Friedrich Burkhard de Leger (1732-1802), Privy Chamberlain at the Court of Friedrich August I of Saxony
Artist
Anton Graff
Additional Description
ÖI auf Leinwand (doubliert). (Um 1772). 66 x 48,5 cm. Rückseitig auf dem Keilrahmen mit der alten, verblassten Aufschrift „Graff". Gerahmt.
Period
(1736 Winterthur - Dresden 1813)
Technique
Gemälde
Literature
VergleichsEkhart Berckenhagen, Anton Graff, Leben und Werk, Berlin 1967, S. 242, Kat.-Nr. 863.
Provenance
Privatbesitz, Norddeutschland.
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Description
A further version by the hand of Graff, with slightly different dimensions, is in the possession of the Dresden Gemäldegalerie. According to Erhard Berckenhagen, this one is inscribed on the reverse: "Johann Burkhard von Leger/chursächsischer Hofrat und Kämmerer, Major v.d.A./Ritter des sächs: Militair/St Heinrichordens. Born: at Basel the ... died: at ...". A third copy, in oval format, was shown at the Dresden Academy Exhibition in 1772 (cf. Berckenhagen no. 864). According to Prof. Dr. Börsch-Supan, the "present version (...) must definitely be regarded as Graff's own handiwork due to the powerful brushwork with partly impasto application of paint and the lively modelling of the face." The slight tilt of the head to the left emphasises the direct, almost personal eye contact with the viewer. It is not office or social rank, but the humanity of the sitter that takes centre stage here. With an expert opinion by Prof. Dr Helmut Börsch-Supan, Berlin, dated 5 May 2010 (copy).