Franz Gerhard von Kugelgen German artist of the late 18th - early 19th centuries, Date of Birth: 26.02.1772 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Gerhardt von Kugelgen
2. Early Life and Education
3. Marriage and Family
4. Artistic Career
5. Tragic End

Biography of Gerhardt von Kugelgen

Gerhardt von Kugelgen was a German artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known for his portrait works and historical themes. He was a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden, and a member of both the Prussian and Russian Academies of Fine Arts.

Early Life and Education

Gerhardt von Kugelgen was born on February 26 in Bacharach, a German city located on the banks of the Rhine. After completing his schooling in 1789, he went to study painting in Koblenz. In 1791, he moved to Bonn and began painting portraits for high-ranking individuals, such as Maximilian Franz of Austria (Grand Master of the Teutonic Order), Minister August von Spiegel, and Count Waldstein.

Together with his brother, Gerhardt embarked on an educational trip to various European countries, including Rome, Munich, and Riga. This journey was sponsored by Maximilian Franz of Habsburg.

Marriage and Family

In 1800, Gerhardt von Kugelgen married Helene Marie Zoege von Manteuffel. They had three children together. Their first son, Wilhelm, was born in St. Petersburg in 1802 and also became an artist. They also had two other children named Gerhard (born in 1806) and Adelheid (born in 1808).

Artistic Career

In addition to painting portraits of political and social figures, Kugelgen also portrayed scholars and artists. His works include portraits of Caspar David Friedrich, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Gottfried Herder, August von Kotzebue, Friedrich Schiller, Johann Gottfried Zoëga, Ludwig Ulland, Zacharias Werner, Christoph Martin Wieland, Carl Simon Morgenstern, and many other writers, artists, and scientists of his time.

Tragic End

In 1820, Gerhardt von Kugelgen was shot and killed by a thief while walking on the road from his studio in Loschwitz, near Dresden. He was buried in the old Catholic cemetery in Dresden.