Historians Self-portrait




Willem Jacob Herreyns, the Younger, was a Flemish painter of history subjects and portraits. He is regarded as one of the last painters in the tradition of the Flemish Baroque and the last follower of Peter Paul Rubens. Herreyns’ work was very highly regarded in his time. His religious compositions stand in the Rubens tradition. Herreyns is considered a draughtsman with a precise line, but his work shows a certain coldness and lacks originality.


Anton Hermann Stilke, a German painter associated with the Düsseldorf School of Painting, is renowned for his depictions of Joan of Arc's life. Originally interested in agriculture, he pursued art and studied under Carl Wilhelm Kolbe and Peter von Cornelius. Stilke worked on various projects in Düsseldorf and Munich, including frescoes in the Munich Hofgarten. He also decorated Stolzenfels Castle's Great Hall with murals depicting the "Six Knightly Virtues." Stilke became a professor at the Berlin Academy. His wife, Hermine Peipers, was an accomplished watercolorist.


Pieter (Pierre) van Hanselaere was a Belgian painter in the neoclassical style, who specialized in portraits and religious and historical scenes. In his early days he specialized in portraiture and achieved a high level of technical perfection. Due to the Napoleonic wars he was not able to leave for Italy until 1816; when he did, he first stayed in Rome and painted portraits of some high-ranking officials, before moving to Naples and achieving success there as well, becoming the painter for the royal court.


Joseph Henri François Van Lerius was a Belgian painter in the Romantic-Historical style. Van Lerius painted mythological and biblical scenes as well as portraits and genre pictures. Much of his work is didactic in nature. Perhaps his best-known work is "Lady Godiva", which was shown at the Antwerp Triennial Salon in 1870. Many of his works (especially "Lady Godiva" and "Cinderella") have been widely reproduced.


Maria Elektrine von Freyberg was a German painter. Trained by her father, Johann Baptist Stuntz, a renowned landscape painter, Maria quickly demonstrated remarkable artistic talent. Her extensive travels through France and Italy greatly influenced her work, especially her stay in Rome, which enriched her painting style.
Maria Elektrine's art is celebrated for its delicate touch and emotional depth, particularly in historical scenes and portraiture. Some of her notable works include "The Holy Family," "The Birth of St. John," and "A Boy Playing the Flute." These pieces are distinguished not only by their technical excellence but also by their tender and evocative portrayals of their subjects.
Her works are held in high esteem and can be found in various prestigious collections, such as the Munich Gallery, the Leuchtenberg Gallery, and even as far as the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. This widespread recognition underscores her contributions to the 19th-century art scene, particularly within the German Romantic movement.
For those deeply invested in the world of art and antiques, Maria Elektrine von Freyberg's works offer a rich exploration of German romanticism. Her paintings are a testament to her skill and a window into the cultural and historical milieu of her time.
If you are an enthusiast or a collector keen on early 19th-century art, ensure you stay informed about updates related to Maria Elektrine von Freyberg's works. Sign up now to receive notifications on new discoveries, auction events, and sales concerning her masterpieces. Join us in preserving and appreciating the legacy of one of Germany's illustrious painters.