Ludwig van Beethoven sitzend oder Entwurf für ein Beethoven-Denkmal - Lavierte Federzeichnung von Friedrich Ritter von Amerling

Vienna artist Friedrich von Amerling (1803-1887) became popular mainly for his portraits and history paintings. Between 1830 and 1850 both members of the Austrian aristocracy and the middle classes appreciated his works.

His Beethoven depiction probably dates back to this time. The painting excels in its particularly plain style. The composer seems to just have taken a seat on his chair to write down a few notes. His hat is under the chair, his foot rests on what looks like the case of an instrument. The whole painting gives a very spontaneous and lively impression as if capturing a random moment taken from Beethoven's everyday life. In this way, Amerling's drawing meets the notion of art of the Vienna Biedermeier Style and clearly differs from the drafts of other artists of the mid 19th century.(S.B.)