Artwork

Germany's Famous Authors: Portrait of Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Jerusalem

Germany's Famous Authors: Portrait of Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Jerusalem is a print by the Romanticist artist Gustav Karl Friedrich Lüderitz. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1940.1139.b
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection

About this work

Overview

Created in 1824 by German printmaker Gustav Karl Friedrich Lüderitz, this portrait depicts the theologian and philosopher Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Jerusalem. Executed as a monochrome print, the work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies early‑19th‑century German portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

Jerusalem, a prominent figure in German Enlightenment thought, is presented in his middle years, his expression solemn and contemplative. The inclusion of a folded document in his right hand alludes to his scholarly activity, while his attire, a dark coat, white cravat, and low‑brimmed hat, conveys the dignity associated with his intellectual stature.

Technique & Style

Lüderitz employs chiaroscuro through careful gradations of light and shadow, giving the face a three‑dimensional quality against a plain background. The print’s fine line work renders the textures of the coat and cravat, while the stark contrast emphasizes the subject’s features and the seriousness of his gaze.

History & Provenance

The portrait entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings in the early 20th century, though the exact acquisition date is not recorded in public records. Since its arrival, it has been displayed as part of the museum’s European prints and drawings collection, illustrating the era’s portrait conventions.