Portrait of a Gentleman
Artist: Unknown Portrait Painter, 19th Century
Medium: Oil on Cardboard
Dimensions: 43 x 33 cm, framed
Signature: Unsigned, handwritten on old label
Date: 19th Century
Provenance: Private collection, Yves Siebers Auktionen GmbH
Condition Report: The portrait is set against a dark, neutral background, which contrasts with the light skin tone of the subject, making it the focal point of the composition.

Description:
This 19th-century portrait captures a gentleman in a realistic style, characteristic of the German Realism period. The subject's features stand out against a subdued, dark background that emphasizes the softness and brightness of the skin. His attire, blending with the tone of the background, directs the viewer's attention to the face and expression, showcasing the artist's skill in rendering lifelike detail.

About the Period:
The work is aligned with 19th-century German Realism, a movement that broke from Romanticism to embrace more neutral, observational depictions of society and everyday life. Emerging between 1850 and 1900, German Realism was marked by a shift toward realistic portrayal of both rural and urban life, focusing on ordinary people and their environments. This period saw a break from emotional intensity and embraced a more restrained, analytical approach to the depiction of reality.

While not part of a cohesive movement, German Realism was contemporaneous with other realist movements across Europe, including French Realism. Artists like Adolph Menzel and Max Liebermann stood out for their innovative approaches—Menzel's industrial scenes and Liebermann's lighter depictions of urban life had a profound influence on the evolution of European realism.