Ernst Theodor Krause was a German painter of figures in oil and charcoal.

Only a handful of works by this masterly Academy man are publicly accessible so, as such, we’re left with a mere glimpse of his abundant potential. Training at two academies of repute, he was provided with a sophisticated artistic grounding, primarily focused on the human form. At Dresden, he studied under Ferdinand Pauwels, Leon Pohle and Friedrich Preller the Younger. And, at Weimar, under Max Thedy.

A few life drawings from the 1880s convey his exquisite handling and attention to detail. While a nude with her back turned from around 1900, demonstrates his dexterity with flesh tones.

Krause could’ve bolstered his career with genre scenes, portraits and history painting but he chose a different path. At the age of 28, he became a restorer and conservator for the Staatliche Gemäldegalerie in Dresden - a museum with a sensational collection of European masterpieces.

These include works by Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach, Hans Holbein, Jan van Eyck, Raphael, Botticelli, Titian, Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens, David Teniers the Younger, Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, Thomas Gainsborough, and Joshua Reynolds. Krause was in his element, working on some of the greatest paintings in European art history.

1868

Born in Meissen, Germany.

Studied at the Dresden Academy under Ferdinand Pauwels, Leon Pohle and Friedrich Preller the Younger.

Studied at the Weimar art school under Max Thedy.

1896-1934

Worked as a painting restorer and conservator at the Staatliche Gemäldegalerie in Dresden.

1945

Died in Dresden, Germany.