Andreas Range was a distinguished German painter of animals, portraits, history subjects and landscapes who received Royal patronage.

Born in Kassel, a grand old city, Range spent his entire career working in his hometown. He trained at the Kassell Art Academy where he later became a professor and became renowned for his portraits and history paintings. A true classicist, his approach was based upon strict adherence to the masters of antiquity and, as such, he was popular with aristocratic patrons.

Prince William II of Hesse-Kassel

Around 1800, he began teaching oil painting to the Royal Highness Prince William II of Hesse-Kassel (1777-1847), the son of William I, Elector of Hesse - an opportunity which paved the way for several commissions. In 1806, he produced a portrait of William II and, having ingratiated himself, he was asked to work at the magnificent Wilhelmshöhe Palace. Constructed in the late 18th century, the Palace is a neoclassical gem, and Range was entrusted with painting numerous life-size portraits of the Hessian Royal family for display. Fitted into wall panels between windows, the result was an outstanding one.

In addition, 15 further works, primarily landscapes and historical scenes, were produced for both William I and II with most of these intended for palaces. ‘A roebuck and a doe’ was hung at a private residence, while ‘Telemachus with Calypso in a cave’ was sent to Wilhelmshöhe. Many of these were of large proportions, between four and five feet wide.

Ludwig Emil Grimm

Aside from his Royal connections, during his time as a Professor at the Academy, he taught Ludwig Emil Grimm (1790-1863), another brother of the famous folklorists, the Brothers Grimm.

Range’s career was halted in 1824 due to an eye condition, which resulted in blindness. Today, he’s consigned to the dusty archives of German repositories.

Public Collections

Wilhelmshöhe Palace, Kassel, Germany.

Timeline

1762

Born in Kassel, Germany.

1779

Enrolled at the Art Academy in Kassel.

1797

Became a teacher of ‘plaster drawing’ at the Art Academy in Kassel.

Taught oil painting to William II of Hesse-Kassel (1777-1847).

1805

Tutored a class of 14 students at the Art Academy in Kassel.

1806

Produced a portrait of William II of Hesse-Kassel (1777-1847).

1814

Appointed a professor and given a post teaching oil painting at the Kassel Art Academy. Christian Friedrich Deiker (1792-1843) was one of his students. 

C. 1815

Commissioned by Prince William I of Hesse-Kassel family to produce numerous life-size ancestral portraits of the Hessian royal family. 

C. 1824

Became blind following an eye disease.

1835

Died in Kassel.