Anselm Feuerbach

Anselm Feuerbach (1829-1880) was a German painter associated with the Nazarene movement, known for his classical and mythological subjects. He was born in Speyer, the son of the archaeologist Joseph Anselm Feuerbach and the grandson of the legal scholar Paul Johann Anselm Ritter von Feuerbach. He studied at the Düsseldorf Academy under Wilhelm von Schadow, and later at the Munich Academy. In 1850, he moved to Paris, where he was influenced by the works of Eugène Delacroix and Thomas Couture. In 1855, he relocated to Rome, which remained his home for most of his life. There, he became associated with the German artists' group known as the "Deutschrömer".

Feuerbach's work is characterized by its idealized portrayal of figures, often set in a landscape or architectural setting. His use of color and light reflects his study of the Old Masters, particularly Titian and Rubens. Some of his notable works include Iphigenia, which depicts the heroine of Greek mythology, and The Battle of the Amazons, a dynamic representation of the legendary female warriors. His 1873 painting Medea is considered one of his masterpieces, capturing the sorceress in a moment of contemplative solitude.

Despite his talent, Feuerbach struggled with financial difficulties and critical reception during his lifetime. He was a professor at the Vienna Academy from 1873 until his death in 1880, but his teaching was met with mixed reviews. Posthumously, his work gained recognition, and he is now considered one of the important German painters of the 19th century. His paintings can be found in various museums, including the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin and the Städel Museum in Frankfurt.