This charming early 19th-century oil painting by German artist Benno Fischer (1828-1865) depicts a seated gentleman wearing a black suit, white shirt, white waistcoat, and black bow tie. He’s holding a pair of white gloves.

Hailing from Dresden, Fischer was an academy-trained painter of history, genre and portraits. Working during a period of stability and emerging wealth, he became popular with the rising middle classes who sought to decorate their homes with family portraiture.

His education was a formal affair with emphasis placed upon studying the masters, such as the Renaissance luminary Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino. As such, keen draughtsmanship was a prerequisite for success and Fischer would’ve trained extensively - rendering each work with careful attention to intricate details. Each gilded brooch, bracelet, earring, pocket watch, and lace embellishment rendered with precision. Stylistically, his works fit with the requirements of the German Biedermeier period, with patrons seeking to convey their societal standing while retaining a sense of decorum.

Here, in this work from 1848, he’s conveyed a sense of the gentleman’s professional character, standing, and education. The left hand is held prominently across the midriff to emphasise his wedding ring.

Fischer is represented in various public collections including museums in Milwaukee and Bratislava.

Signed/dated lower right and held within a period frame, which is probably original.

Learn more about Benno Fischer in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 32½” x 39” / 83cm x 99cm
Year of creation: 1848
Provenance: Private collection, Germany.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Canvas relined. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame restored.
Our reference: BRV1786