John Philipp
John Philipp | |
|---|---|
Philipp and his painting of Einstein | |
| Born | 1872 |
| Died | 1938 (aged 65–66) |
| Alma mater | Academy of Fine Arts, Munich |
| Occupations | Painter, engraver, printer |
| Known for | Portraits of Albert Einstein |
John Philipp (1872–1938) was a German painter, engraver, printer, and draughtsman. He is best known for his portrait of Albert Einstein.[1]
Biography
Born in Hamburg in 1872, Philipp studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich under Johann Leonhard Raab and Carl von Marr from 1893 to 1898. He later moved to Berlin in 1904, where he worked for five years and befriended the German realist painter Adolph von Menzel shortly before Menzel's death in 1905. Philipp maintained a studio in Berlin and returned to Hamburg, where he died in 1938.[2]
Works
Philipp is primarily known for his portrait etchings of several significant international figures.[3] The notable people he created portraits of include:
- Albert Einstein: Philipp created a well-known oversized etching of the physicist in 1929, made from life ("d'après nature").
- Auguste Rodin: He produced a signed etching portrait of the French sculptor in 1909.
- Sigmund Freud: A sketch and etching of the father of psychoanalysis date to 1913.[4]
- Adolph von Menzel: Philipp befriended the prominent German realist painter in Berlin and created a portrait of him shortly before Menzel's death in 1905.
- Arthur Nikisch: The Hungarian conductor was another of Philipp's notable subjects.
- The Prince Regent: He also etched a portrait of the German Prince Regent (likely Luitpold of Bavaria).
- Leo Spik: An auction snippet indicates a portrait of this individual.
Einstein
Albert Einstein 'genuinely admired' John Philipp's etching of him.[5] Family anecdotes and historical records indicate that after sitting for the artist in 1929, Einstein viewed the finished product and sent a letter expressing his "admiration" and "wonder". Einstein also agreed to hand-sign multiple impressions of the etching in pencil, adding significant value and authenticity to the artworks. A relative of physicist Otto Stern (a Nobel laureate and colleague of Einstein) displayed a signed print in his study in Berkeley, which he had rescued from the Nazis in 1933.[6]
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Etching 1
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Etching 2
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Etching 3
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Etching 4
References
- ^ https://benuri.org/artists/486-john-philipp/overview/
- ^ The Studio Volume 11. National Magazine Company. 1911. p. 74.
- ^ https://www.invaluable.com/artist/philipp-john-aj2ctnrq2o/#:~:text=FRAUENBILDNIS.,01%2C%202010
- ^ The Correspondence of Sigmund Freud and Sándor Ferenczi: 1908-1914 By Sigmund Freud, Sándor Ferenczi, Eva Brabant-Gerö
- ^ A Short History of Engraving & Etching, for the Use of Collectors and Students With Full Bibliography, Classified List and Index of Engravers. A. Constable & Company, Limited. 1908. p. 246.
- ^ The Illustrated London News Volume 89. International News Company. 1931. p. 33.