Georg Friedrich Kersting 1785-1847

Baerbel Kovalevski

ISBN 978-3-9812252-6-6

The present issue of the "Small Gallery" is devoted to the distinguished painter of portraits and historical motifs and master of interior portraits Georg Friedrich Kersting (1785 Guestrow – 1847 Meissen). Together with Ph. O. Runge and C. D. Friedrich, Kersting is a member of the group of artists who are known as northern Germany’s romantic triumvirate. After finishing his education as a decorator in Guestrow, Kersting studied from 1804 to 1808 at the Academy of Arts in Copenhagen. He was a student of N. A. Abildgaard and was awarded both the small and the great silver medal of the Academy. Then in 1810 he moved to Dresden, where he joined the circle around G. von Kuegelgen. A close friendship developed between Kersting and Caspar David Friedrich. Kersting received great appreciation for his interior portraits ”Caspar D. Friedrich in his studio“ in 1811 and “Woman Embroídering“ in 1812. The painter portrayed persons during their silent moments of concentration while working in their typical environment. As a patriot and a freemason, Kersting participated in the War of Independence from 1813-1814, for which he was decorated. After having worked in Warsaw as a drawing tutor, Kersting accepted the position of the director of the painter team at the porcelain factory in Meissen from 1818 until his death in 1847.