25 - “Portrait of Bernhard von Langenbeck,” attributed to Ferdinand Wilhelm von Heuss (Mainz 1848–1924 Bodenheim), 1886?

“Portrait of Bernhard von Langenbeck,” attributed to Ferdinand Wilhelm von Heuss (Mainz 1848–1924 Bodenheim), 1886? Oil on canvas, with relining. Inscribed and dated in multiple lines on the right side of the painting: “BERNARDI A LANGENBECK / EFFIGIEM PINXIT VISBADAE / D F. HEUSS. / MDCCCLXXXV[I]”. A three-quarter-length portrait of Bernhard von Langenbeck seated in dark clothing, wearing a neck order and a chain draped over his vest bearing several miniature medals; his hands, folded one on top of the other, rest on a document bearing the inscription “Archiv für Klin. Chirurgie.” In the background, drapery and an architectural element. The paint layer exhibits pronounced net-like craquelure, particularly in the flesh tones and in the background. The canvas and paint layer are pierced in the lower left corner near the sleeve edge, approx. 0.5 × 0.9 cm. Numerous scratch and scuff marks, particularly in the dark areas of the painting, as well as minor losses of paint along the edges. Stretcher edges show scuffing and loss of material, with the canvas fabric exposed in places. Under UV light, small-scale, non-fluorescent retouching is visible in the area of the inscription, particularly on the “W” in the name and on an “I” in the year. Dimensions of the painting: 103.5 × 76 cm. F. von Heuss, son of the portrait painter Eduard von Heuss, held a doctorate in medicine and was also active as a painter and sculptor. Condition: III