Portrait of an Officer C.1870; Attributed to Jan Adam Kruseman (1804-1862)

In this exquisite bust length portrait a striking young gentleman is wearing a formal military uniform of scarlet and black coat profusely decorated with multiple rows of silver frogging, buttons and silver fastenings common on prestigious regiments, especially cavalry or hussars. An old inscription on the verso identifies the sitter as “Captain von Lanke” of the 12th regiment of Hussars. The portrait was painted circa 1835.

The Iron Cross as seen on the chest, is a former military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) established by King Frederick William III of Prussia in 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars, but later awarded during the Franco-German War, the First World War, and the Second World War. The medal for each period was identical the manner in which each was worn was different - employing a pin or screw posts on the backl, the Iron Cross First Class was worn on the left side and The Grand Cross and the Iron Cross Second Class were suspended from different ribbons.

This striking masculine portrait is remarkable for its depiction of the face and portrayal of fabric; the portrait is demonstrable of the artist’s commensurate skill. These types of portraits were very popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries and there were many artists working in this lucrative area. Held in an excellent quality and condition gilded antique frame.

Jan Adam Kruseman (1804-1862) was a Dutch painter, known primarily for his portraits. He was born to a prominent family that would produce several well-known artists. In 1819, at the age of fifteen, he went to Amsterdam, and enrolled at the Tekenacademie, where he received his first lessons from his cousin, Cornelis Kruseman. From 1822 to 1824 he studied in Brussels with François-Joseph Navez and Jacques-Louis David.

At the age of twenty-six, in 1830, he became Director of the Academy of Fine Arts and three years later, he received an importrant commission to paint a posthumous portrait of Tsar Alexander I, intended as a gift for Anna Pavlovna, who was married to Crown Prince William. After William ascended to the throne, Kruseman was commissioned to paint official portraits of the Royal Family, including six of the King. He created over 500 portraits, mostly of the nobility and wealthy burghers.

He was mainlhy active in his native country but was also active in Brussels, Paris, Great Britain, and in Germany between 1834 and 1836 which is perhaps when our portrait was painted.

Provenance: Private collection Germany

Measurements: Height 82cm, Width 65cm, Depth 9cm framed (Height 32.25”, Width 25.5”, Depth 3.5” framed)

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