Porträt Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715-1769)

Portrait of Christian Fürchtegott Gellert. The German poet is presented here as a chest image facing to the right. His gaze rests on the viewer He wears wig with braid and an open jacket with jabot. The effigy is framed rectangular. Christian Fürchtegott Gellert began studying theology and philosophy at the University of Leipzig in 1734. Meanwhile, he kept afloat with private lessons and the education of young nobles. He also worked as editor of the “Bremer war.” From 1745 he lectured in Leipzig in poetry, eloquence and morality. In 1751 he was appointed associate professor of philosophy. The portrait was probably executed as a steel engraving by Moritz Steinla (1791-1858), who worked as a reproduction engraver in Dresden. He used a template from the Swiss painter Anton Graff (1736-1813), who worked in Dresden, which was supposed to have been created in 1709 and is now a replica in the Old National Gallery in Berlin. Another specimen of the paper is at the LWL Museum of Art and Culture in Münster. Signature: Mealed by A. Graff in 1709. Stenched by M. Steinla in 1819. Label: C. F. GELLERT. (Stiftung Händel-Haus Halle Foundation)