Portrait of Beethoven

[Maurice Colgan]

Today I purchased "The Last Master, Passion and Pain" Ludwig Van Beethoven Volume two by John Suchet, at a car boot sale for 50 cents AND the old print ABOVE published by Edward Gross Co., NY., entitled "INSPIRATION": 'Thus did all nature whisper to the Master' by Joannes de Tahey?

It definitely looks like Beethoven to me.... ........but Beethoven portaits differ so very much!

Can you see the Nymph just to the right of the great composer?

I'm searching for the artist on google.com to no avail........anyone.....?

[Hofrat]

The artist probably died from a split gut due to excessive laughter! Must I direct your attention to the 20th century "finger" pose, a sure sign of the artist's sense of humor!

[Maurice Colgan]

I happen to have a wicked sense of humour

A slight Napoleonic pose signifies a Waterloo?

Next.

[Hollywood]

To me it looks like Beethoven is "flipping off" the devil. But what does this devil represent? Beethoven's deafness or maybe the establishment? Interesting to say the least.

[Maurice Colgan]

Yes Hollywood, an interesting little mystery. The print is wrinkled and was in an old black alabaster frame with rusty tacks. It's yellowed with age. (Intentional?) Who knows? But it only cost me a mere 5 Euros :-)

The seller did not know who it was supposed to represent.


I would like to own this one too :-)

[Maurice Colgan]

A photocopy which is a far brighter version of most of the print.

So far no joy tracing info about it or the artist

[Maurice Colgan]

Rolling the ball....... :-) Another newspaper may run the story.

[Peter]

Very interesting article Maurice and good luck with your search - let us know if anything turns up!

[Hofrat]

As I wrote before, this is not a historical portrait. It is a 20th century joke. The proof is in the hand gesture.

[Preston]

It is a 20th century joke. The proof is in the hand gesture.

I, definitely agree. The portrait could have been possibly drawn by some punk kid to be honest with you. People that were in my art class, when I took it, could draw far better than that.

[Maurice Colgan]

Well the Beethoven-haus people in Bonn are also interested in finding out more about the artist.
The story may be in another newspaper today? Much Later........ :-)

Jumping to conclusions on so little evidence is not my style. Many people claimed a monkey could draw better than Picasso.

http://irelandtoo.blogspot.com

[terry]

As I wrote before, this is not a historical portrait. It is a 20th century joke. The proof is in the hand gesture.

Very very funny! Beethoven wasn't vulgar, but today if you are not you are out, right? Warning to this "artist" (???): the society of mines in Transvaal are searching for personnel. Please send your curriculum to....

[Maurice Colgan]

So far I have not made any claims about the Beethoven portrait.

Today an editor of a Washington DC newspaper has requested a picture of the Beethoven portrait. The Beethoven-haus people are also interested in the name of the artist.

I guess some young people like to appear clever ....... and full of wit That's ok with me
Next.

[Maurice Colgan]

The story continues........ still no real substantive feedback.

[Hofrat]

Does anyone on this forum believe that Beethoven sat for a portrait while making a hand gesture which would have been considered most obsene, if not blasphemous, in Beethoven's time?