GERMAN SCHOOL | MEDITATION

Acquired in Germany by the present owner 

This enigmatic portrait of a man, previously thought to be a painting of the composer Frédéric Chopin, remains an intriguing mystery. The intensity of the sitter’s gaze alone compels the viewer to build a narrative around his identity. His erudite and pensive nature suggest that he is a man of the arts or education. In addition to the front-facing pose, the manner and appearance of the sitter recall mid-nineteenth century photographs of composers such as Chopin, Johannes Brahms and Franz Liszt.