Portrait of Botho Graef, 1914/1926

ArtistErnst Ludwig Kirchner, Aschaffenburg 1880–1938 Davos

MediumOil on canvas

(H x W)90 × 80 cm

Status

on display, room 018.4

About the workThis painting depicts the Jena professor of archaeology and art history Botho Graef. He first met the painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a member of the Dresden artists’ association Die Brücke (The Bridge), in 1911. Graef soon became one of Kirchner’s most important patrons, with the two forming a close friendship. In 1914, the professor gave the opening speech for a solo exhibition by Kirchner at the Jena Art Association. In the same year, the artist began this portrait, which he did not complete until 1926, some time after Graef’s death. The numerous likenesses Kirchner painted of his friend bear witness to how they held one another in mutual esteem.

AccessionAcquisition 1952

ProvenanceBis 1938 im Besitz des Künstlers (1880 - 1938); 1938 - 1945 Erna Schilling (Berlin 1884 - 1945), Davos, erworben im Erbgang; 1946- ? Nachlass des Künstlers, Kunstmuseum Basel; vermutl. 1952 Galerie Vömel, Düsseldorf, erworben aus dem Nachlass des Künstlers [rückseitig Nachlassstempel: Da/Ba27]; 1952 Galerie Aenne Abels, Köln; 19.10.1952 erworben von der Galerie Aenne Abels, Köln

Inventory number0.1952.4983

Contact

sammlung@kunstpalast.de

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https://sammlung.kunstpalast.de/en/objects/41951/bildnis-botho-graef

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