Anton Felix Depauly (30 April 1801 – 27 April 1866) was a Bohemian-born painter of the

Austrian Empire The Austrian Empire, officially known as the Empire of Austria, was a Multinational state, multinational European Great Powers, great power from 1804 to 1867, created by proclamation out of the Habsburg monarchy, realms of the Habsburgs. Duri ...

, known primarily for his portraits and historical paintings.

Life and career

Depauly was born in Mies (now Stříbro, Czech Republic) to Johann Depauly, a municipal archivist, and Elisabetha née Schmid. With support likely from his merchant uncle, he attended the

Academy of Fine Arts Vienna The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna () is a public art school in Vienna, Austria. Founded in 1688 as a private academy, it is now a public university. The academy is also known for twice rejecting admission to a young Adolf Hitler in 1907 and 1908. ...

from 1815 until 1826, studying drawing, portrait, and historical painting. After completing his studies, Depauly married and established a family. He initially worked in Vienna, where he gained recognition as a skilled portrait and historical painter. Around the 1840s, he relocated back to Bohemia, continuing his portrait work. Depauly is notably associated with the portrait commissioned by

Joseph Sonnleithner Joseph Ferdinand Sonnleithner (3 March 1766 – 25 December 1835) was an Austrian librettist, theater director, archivist and lawyer. He was the son of Christoph Sonnleithner, brother of Ignaz von Sonnleithner and uncle of Franz Grillparzer and ...

, a close friend and lawyer of

Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most revered figures in the history of Western music; his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire ...

, depicting composer

Franz Schubert Franz Peter Schubert (; ; 31 January 179719 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical period (music), Classical and early Romantic music, Romantic eras. Despite his short life, Schubert left behind a List of compositions ...

without his glasses. This painting was added to the portrait gallery of the

Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde The (), also known as the (German for 'Viennese Music Association'), is an Austrian music organization that was founded in 1812 by Beethoven’s friend Joseph Sonnleithner, general secretary of the Court Theatre in Vienna, Austria. Overview ...

in Vienna. He is credited with up to thirteen portraits of prominent composers housed in the society’s collection, though detailed documentation on his later life and works remains scarce.

Literature

* Anna Schirlbauer: ''The contemporary oil portrait of Schubert has found its painter: Anton Depauly''. In: Schubert: Perspectives. Vol. 4 (2004), pp. 145–173 * Anna Schirlbauer: ''Joseph Sonnleithner's collection in the portrait gallery of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. New insights about their founder, portraits, and artists, including Depauly''. In: Wiener Geschichtsblätter. (2007), issue 1, pp. 29–64 * Anna Schirlbauer: ''Der Franz Schubert-Porträtist Anton Depauly und seine Bilder (on his 150th death anniversary)''. Online publication, 25 January 2016, pp. 1–9

References

External links

* 1801 births 1866 deaths Painters from the Austrian Empire Painters from Vienna Academy of Fine Arts Vienna alumni People from Stříbro {{Austria-painter-stub