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This elegant pastel portrait by August Paul Beckert captures a serene and introspective woman, rendered with remarkable softness and emotional subtlety. The sitter, shown in a delicate three-quarter profile, wears a light, almost translucent white garment that enhances the sense of purity and calm. Her dark brown hair is styled in a neat updo, framing a face imbued with quiet thoughtfulness and grace.
The background is composed of a gentle green gradient, which contrasts harmoniously with the warmth of her complexion and the earth tones of her hair. Beckert’s skilled handling of pastel creates a velvety texture, especially in the skin and hair, lending the work a lifelike and intimate presence.
Delicately lit and composed, this work demonstrates Beckert’s refined academic training and sensitivity to character—hallmarks of his portraiture. Painted in 1919, it belongs to the later phase of his career, reflecting both his technical mastery and his calm, introspective approach to his subjects.
Pastel on paper mounted on cardboard, signed and dated 1919 lower left. The portrait is housed in an elegant, classical-style frame that enhances the refined character of the artwork. Crafted from wood, the frame features a combination of black and gold finishes that create a rich visual contrast. The outer edge is adorned with decorative gilded corners, adding a touch of ornamentation without overwhelming the composition. A wide gold inner band, subtly textured, provides warmth and draws the viewer’s eye toward the painting. A narrower black strip closer to the artwork creates depth and gives the presentation a sense of structure and balance.
Overall, the frame is both stately and understated, complementing the delicate tones of the pastel while lending the piece a timeless, museum-quality appearance.
August Paul Beckert was a distinguished German portraitist and church painter, born in Lichtenstein, Saxony on December 17, 1856. The son of a master tailor, Beckert pursued an early education in Chemnitz before studying art in Dresden under Theodor Grosse. His academic journey took him further to Berlin, Stuttgart, and finally to the Royal Academy of Arts in Munich, where he trained with notable figures such as Wilhelm von Lindenschmit the Younger, Sándor Wagner, and Gyula Benczúr.
Beckert’s artistic development was shaped by his study travels in Italy, during which he converted to Catholicism after visiting the Pontificium Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum in Rome. There, he painted two significant works for the college in 1898 and 1899.
Through his first wife, Annie Leontine von Frank, Beckert gained entrée into the circles of the German aristocracy, allowing him to secure prestigious portrait commissions. His sitters included Emperor Wilhelm II, Empress Augusta Victoria, Prince Bismarck, Field Marshal Moltke, Pope Pius X, and future Chancellor Georg von Hertling. In 1904, Pope Pius X recognized his contributions to sacred art by naming him a Knight of the Holy Order of Sylvester.
Although many of his works were lost during World War II, Beckert remains celebrated for his evocative portraits and religious works, which blend academic precision with spiritual grace. He passed away on September 22, 1922, during a stay at a spa in Olsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Artist: Paul Beckert (1856-1922).
Signed and dated in the lower left corner.
Technique: Pastel on paper.
Condition: Very good condition.
Dimensions: 44,5 x 34 cm. / 17 ½ x 13 ½ in.
Frame: 72 x 64 cm. / 28 ¼ x 25 ¼ in. Gilded and ebonised wood. Good condition.
Origin: France.
