Beethoven im Kaffeehaus - Zeichnung von Eduard Klosson von 1823, Fotografie, um 1820?

Various memories of his friends and contemporaries mention Beethoven's liking for restaurants and cafes. In 1823 Johann Sporschil wrote in the newspaper "Stuttgarter Morgenblatt" that Beethoven liked living in Vienna during wintertime and - before going for a walk - stopping at a cafe to have a cup of coffee, read the papers, smoke his pipe and have conversations with his friends.

Such an occasion probably gave rise to the only depiction of Beethoven while having a cup of coffee. The drawing was done by the later Austrian civil servant Eduard Klosson, who lived in Vienna as a student in 1823. Klosson must have seen Beethoven sitting in a cafe and drinking a cup of coffee and clandestinely drew a picture of the composer. The drawing can easily be attributed to a layman as Beethoven's poorly drawn features and figure show. Klosson, however, captured the situation and the composer's relaxed poise very well.(S.B.)