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Gustav Friedrich WaagenGerman art critic.
Date of Birth: 11.02.1794
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Gustav Friedrich Waagen
- Military Service and Education
- Travels and Art Study
- Imperial Patronage and the Hermitage
- Later Travels and Publications
- Legacy and Influence
Gustav Friedrich Waagen
Gustav Friedrich Waagen, a renowned German art critic, was born in Hamburg on February 11, 1794. His father, a painter, nurtured his aesthetic development from an early age.
Military Service and Education
After participating in the Napoleonic Wars as a volunteer from 1813 to 1814, Waagen pursued his education, focusing on philology and history. He then embarked on a journey to the Netherlands to study the Flemish School. Subsequently, he resided in Munich, the epicenter of German art.
Travels and Art Study
His travels took him to Italy, where he explored numerous art galleries and museums. He also visited London and Berlin, studying their collections. In 1844, he became Professor of Art History at the University of Berlin.
Imperial Patronage and the Hermitage
In 1861, Waagen was invited by Emperor Alexander II to visit St. Petersburg, where he spent two years. His exhaustive study of the Imperial Hermitage's art treasures resulted in the publication of "Die Gemäldesammlung in der Kaiserlichen Eremitage in St.-Petersburg" (1864).
Later Travels and Publications
Following his stay in Russia, Waagen inspected art galleries in Vienna and Spain. He returned to Paris in 1867 to report on the artistic masterpieces at the World Exhibition. His insightful writings continued to illuminate art history.
Legacy and Influence
Waagen died on July 15, 1868, while en route to Copenhagen. His literary contributions include "Über einige in der Kgl. Sammlung zu München befindliche egyptische Mumien" (1820), "Kunstwerke und Künstler in England und Paris" (1837-39), and "The Treasures of Art in Great Britain" (1854), among many others. His "Kleine Schriften" were collected and published by Woltmann in 1875, along with a biography of the influential art critic.
