Lorenz Clasen

About the Portraits

This exceptional pair of German oil portraits by renowned artist Lorenz Clasen captures the essence of mid-19th-century German-Jewish bourgeoisie. Painted around 1850-1860, these Düsseldorf School paintings depict the distinguished Bloch couple from Frankfurt am Main's prosperous Jewish merchant class during a pivotal moment in German social history.

The gentleman appears in elegant period attire—a dark three-piece suit with crisp white shirt and broad cravat. His neatly groomed beard and side-parted hairstyle reflect 1850s fashion, while his dignified pose embodies the Biedermeier tradition transitioning into early Realism. The lady is portrayed in a sophisticated black gown with delicate lace details and center-parted hairstyle following contemporary trends. A striking red flower pinned near her heart serves as both decorative accent and symbolic reference to love, fidelity, and vitality.

These signed portraits represent the emerging merchant class's prosperity and integration into German society during the mid-19th century. The formal presentation and quality execution reflect the subjects' elevated social status and the artistic standards of the Düsseldorf School, which emphasized meticulous technique and psychological depth in portraiture.

About the Artist

Lorenz Clasen (1812-1899) was a distinguished German history painter born in Düsseldorf. After studying at the prestigious Kunstakademie Düsseldorf under Rudolf Wiegmann, he became associated with the renowned Düsseldorf School, one of the most influential German art movements of the 19th century.

Clasen's work demonstrates exceptional skill in capturing both social status and personal character, particularly evident in his portraits of the German-Jewish bourgeoisie. His career spanned crucial decades of German history, documenting the nation's transformation and the integration of Jewish families into German society during a period of significant social and economic change.

He is best known for "Germania auf der Wacht am Rhein" (Germania on Watch at the Rhine), housed in Krefeld's town hall, a monumental work that exemplifies his mastery of history painting. His portraits, however, reveal a more intimate side of his artistic practice, combining the meticulous Düsseldorf School technique with deep cultural understanding and sensitivity to his subjects' individual personalities.

Clasen's work represents the transition from romantic idealism to early realism in German art, bridging two important artistic movements while maintaining the technical excellence for which the Düsseldorf School was internationally renowned.

Technical Details

Artist: Lorenz Clasen (1812-1899)
Signed: Lower left and right
Date: c.1850-1860
Medium: Oil on canvas (pair)
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 44 x 39 cm / 17¼ x 15½ in (each)
Frame: 61 x 56 cm / 24 x 22 in (each), very good condition
Origin: Germany

A rare signed pair documenting the German-Jewish bourgeoisie during the Biedermeier to Realism transition.