Gentleman in a Black Coat and a White Waistcoat

This young man with blonde hair had his portrait painted by Veit Hans Schnorr von Carolsfeld in a calm, natural pose and with a relaxed expression. The artist selected dark, dull colours for the plain design. The head and the white of the cravat and the shirt stand out against the subdued background.¹

Veit Hans Schnorr von Carolsfeld came from a family that was raised to the nobility by Emperor Leopold I in the 17th century, which added “von Carolsfeld” to their name. He spent most of his life in Leipzig, where he may well have painted this portrait of the blonde young man. He had several children by his wife Juliane Lange, of whom Ludwig, Eduard, and Julius also became painters. His daughter Ottilie also demonstrated artistic talent. The name Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld is known to later generations because today, the artist ranks among the major painters of the romantic period and is regarded as an important member of the Nazarene movement.

B. P.