Porträt Johann Baptist Cramer (1771-1858)

Portrait of Johann Baptist Cramer. The English pianist and composer of German descent presents himself here as a half figure facing to the right in the three-quarter profile with arms crossed in front of the chest. He seems to be sitting there, as one can see the hint of a seat cushion on the left. It wears a heavy and thick black coat and a neckband with loop. He doesn’t wear a wig. Johann Baptist Cramer was one of the most famous pianists of his time. He came to London early with his parents and learned from Clementi. On his concert tours across Europe he met Beethoven. In addition, he worked in piano construction and as a music publisher. For the piano lessons he wrote 84 Etüden, which he edited himself. The LWL Museum of Art and Culture in Münster has a specimen of the present style, which was created by James Thomson after the presentation of Abraham Wivell. There is another variant of August Weger (cf. BS-III 235) in the Händel-Haus Foundation. Signature: Engraved by Mr. Thomson, from a Drawing by Mr. Wivell. Pub. Dec. 1823. by W. Pinnock. 267 Beach. Caption: J. B. Cramer. (Stiftung Händel-Haus Halle Foundation)