Carl Ludwig Brandt
Encyclopedia
Carl Ludwig Brandt was a German-born artist who worked mostly in the United States.
, in Holstein, Germany. His father and grandfather were physicians in Hamburg. His father taught him drawing at the age of seven, and he subsequently studied in the principal galleries of Europe. He served in the First War of Schleswig
(1848–1850), between Germany and Denmark.
He came to the United States in 1852. He painted several portraits previous to 1864, and in that year built his studio in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
, but lived in Europe
from 1865 until 1869. He was chosen a national academician
in 1872, and in 1883 was elected first director of the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, Savannah, Georgia
, where he resided in winter. At Telfair he offered art instruction and oversaw art acquisitions, including plaster casts, thus transforming a family mansion into a cultural institution.
After his return from Europe, he did numerous portraits, including likenesses of John Jacob Astor
the elder, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Astor
, Dr. John W. Draper, George S. Appleton
, Gen. Henry R. Jackson
, and a full-length figure of his wife.
The last was shown at the academy exhibition of 1882 and the international exposition at Munich in 1883. Friedrich Pecht, in his “Modern Art at the International Exhibition,” says of it: “The most skillful of all these ladies' portraits is the one in full figure by Carl L. Brandt, in fact, a most charming picture, a masterpiece good enough for a Netcher.” Brandt did some work as a sculptor, and in 1886 had nearly completed a colossal bust of Alexander von Humboldt
.
Biography
Brandt was born near HamburgHamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, in Holstein, Germany. His father and grandfather were physicians in Hamburg. His father taught him drawing at the age of seven, and he subsequently studied in the principal galleries of Europe. He served in the First War of Schleswig
First War of Schleswig
The First Schleswig War or Three Years' War was the first round of military conflict in southern Denmark and northern Germany rooted in the Schleswig-Holstein Question, contesting the issue of who should control the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. The war, which lasted from 1848–1851,...
(1848–1850), between Germany and Denmark.
He came to the United States in 1852. He painted several portraits previous to 1864, and in that year built his studio in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
Hastings-on-Hudson is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in the southwest part of the town of Greenburgh. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 7,849. It lies on U.S. Route 9, "Broadway" in Hastings...
, but lived in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
from 1865 until 1869. He was chosen a national academician
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
in 1872, and in 1883 was elected first director of the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, where he resided in winter. At Telfair he offered art instruction and oversaw art acquisitions, including plaster casts, thus transforming a family mansion into a cultural institution.
Works
Among his works are:- “A Dish of Alpine Strawberries”
- “The Fortune-Teller” (1869)
- “Return from the Alps” (1874)
- “Monte Rosa at Sunrise”
- “Bay of Naples during Eruption of Vesuvius in 1867”
- “Etna from Taurinino, Sicily”
- “Resignation”
- “The Golden Treasures of Mexico”
After his return from Europe, he did numerous portraits, including likenesses of John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States...
the elder, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Astor
William Backhouse Astor
William Backhouse Astor may refer to:* William Backhouse Astor, Sr. , businessman and member of the Astor family* William Backhouse Astor, Jr. , businessman and son of the above...
, Dr. John W. Draper, George S. Appleton
George Swett Appleton
George Swett Appleton was an American publisher, the third son of Daniel Appleton. He was born in Andover, Massachusetts, studied in Leipzig, and for a number of years was a publisher and a book seller in Philadelphia....
, Gen. Henry R. Jackson
Henry R. Jackson
Henry Rootes Jackson was a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Biography:...
, and a full-length figure of his wife.
The last was shown at the academy exhibition of 1882 and the international exposition at Munich in 1883. Friedrich Pecht, in his “Modern Art at the International Exhibition,” says of it: “The most skillful of all these ladies' portraits is the one in full figure by Carl L. Brandt, in fact, a most charming picture, a masterpiece good enough for a Netcher.” Brandt did some work as a sculptor, and in 1886 had nearly completed a colossal bust of Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt was a German naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt...
.