Hermann Prell
Encyclopedia
Hermann Prell was a German
historical painter
and sculptor.
He was born at Leipzig
and studied under Grosse
in Dresden
and Gussow in Berlin
, then went to Italy
to study fresco
painting, in which branch he produced his most important works. Chief of these are: 11 mural paintings symbolizing the "Principal Epochs in the History of Architecture" (1881–82, Banquet Hall, Architects' Union, Berlin); "Justice" and "Valor" and "Henry IV Granting Privileges to Worms in 1074" (City Hall, Worms); cycles of historic episodes and allegorical scenes, respectively, in the city halls at Hildesheim
(1888–91) and Danzig (1896) and over the staircase of the Breslau Museum (1894); mythological scenes and sculptures in the Albertinum (1901–05) and the Rathaus , Dresden (1908–12), and the frieze
with subjects from northern mythology in the throne room of the German Embassy in Rome
. Of his easel
paintings the Dresden Gallery containsthe "Betrayal of Christ" (1886), and the Breslau Museum a "Repose in Egypt" (1890). Prell was a member of the Academy of Berlin, where he taught in 1886-91, and of Dresden, in which he became professor
; and he received the great gold medal at Berlin in 1893. He ranks as one of the foremost historical painters of the Germany of his time. He is especially known for his successful use of casein colors in fresco. In later life, he essayed sculpture. For his biography, consult F. H. Meissner (Vienna, 1898) and A. Rosenberg (Bielefeld, 1901); for illustrations of his works, G. Galland (Charlottenburg, 1904).
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
historical painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and sculptor.
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
He was born at Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
and studied under Grosse
Theodor Grosse
Theodor Grosse was a German historical painter. He was born at Dresden and studied at the Dresden Academy under Bendemann. For his encaustic decorations in the castle of Count Solms Wildenfels on the Mulde, he was awarded the traveling scholarship of the Dresden Academy. After several years in...
in Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
and Gussow in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, then went to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to study fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
painting, in which branch he produced his most important works. Chief of these are: 11 mural paintings symbolizing the "Principal Epochs in the History of Architecture" (1881–82, Banquet Hall, Architects' Union, Berlin); "Justice" and "Valor" and "Henry IV Granting Privileges to Worms in 1074" (City Hall, Worms); cycles of historic episodes and allegorical scenes, respectively, in the city halls at Hildesheim
Hildesheim
Hildesheim is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located in the district of Hildesheim, about 30 km southeast of Hanover on the banks of the Innerste river, which is a small tributary of the Leine river...
(1888–91) and Danzig (1896) and over the staircase of the Breslau Museum (1894); mythological scenes and sculptures in the Albertinum (1901–05) and the Rathaus , Dresden (1908–12), and the frieze
Frieze
thumb|267px|Frieze of the [[Tower of the Winds]], AthensIn architecture the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain in the Ionic or Doric order, or decorated with bas-reliefs. Even when neither columns nor pilasters are expressed, on an astylar wall it lies upon...
with subjects from northern mythology in the throne room of the German Embassy in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Of his easel
Easel
An easel is an upright support used for displaying and/or fixing something resting upon it.-Etymology:The word is an old Germanic synonym for donkey...
paintings the Dresden Gallery containsthe "Betrayal of Christ" (1886), and the Breslau Museum a "Repose in Egypt" (1890). Prell was a member of the Academy of Berlin, where he taught in 1886-91, and of Dresden, in which he became professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
; and he received the great gold medal at Berlin in 1893. He ranks as one of the foremost historical painters of the Germany of his time. He is especially known for his successful use of casein colors in fresco. In later life, he essayed sculpture. For his biography, consult F. H. Meissner (Vienna, 1898) and A. Rosenberg (Bielefeld, 1901); for illustrations of his works, G. Galland (Charlottenburg, 1904).