Bust Portrait of the Painter Henry Ritter, in the Form of a Plaque or Antique Coin, 1839
Oil on canvas
Dimensions without frame27,5 × 22 cm
About the workPortrait reliefs in the form of plaques, medals and coins were a common way of honouring prominent figures until well into the twentieth century. The Düsseldorf painter Andreas Achenbach emulated this tradition when he seemingly immortalised his then 23-year-old friend and colleague Henry Ritter in bronze. Both Achenbach and the half-British Ritter were known for their caricatures in addition to paintings. It is therefore not surprising that Ritter’s strikingly elongated head is clearly exaggerated in comparison with other surviving depictions of the artist.
ProvenanceErwerbungszeitraum unbekannt; 1938 nachinventarisiert
Inventory numberM 4516
