Franz Liszt (1811-1886) - Anonyme Fotografie

Joseph Danhauser, the main representative of Genre painting in the Pre-Revolutionary Period in Vienna, produced this engraving for the Viennese piano maker Conrad Graf in 1840. It captures the Romantic sentiments of the Paris circle around Franz Liszt and his particular admiration for Ludwig van Beethoven. The painting centres around Liszt at his piano, made by Conrad Graf. Behind him stand Victor Hugo, Niccolò Paganini and Gioachino Rossini. Alexandre Dumas the elder and George Sand are seated in front of this group, and in a dreamy pose at Liszt"s feet sits Marie d"Agoult, with her back towards the viewer.

With the exception of Marie d"Agoult, whose head is bowed, all of those present are gazing to the right towards the bust of Beethoven on the piano in front of the window. The representation of the bust, after an actual sculpture by Joseph Danhauser, cleverly shows the importance of Beethoven for those present.