Hofrätin Helene von Breuning (1751-1838) - Ölgemälde von Gerhard von Kügelgen

The Breuning family, a reputable and wealthy family from Bonn, played a major role throughout Beethoven's youth. Court counsellor Helene von Breuning whose husband had died during the fire at the Bonn castle in 1777, lived most of the time in Bonn with her four children. Sometimes the family stayed in Kerpen and Bad Neuenahr. Beethoven soon became a frequent guest at their hospitable place and Helene quickly became a monterly friend.

The acquaintance of the Breunings gave Beethoven the chance to meet with many of their open-minded and intellectually interested friends and thus to enrich his education in various fields, especially in the area of German literature.(S.B.)