Ludwig Noster
Friedeberg (Neumark) 1859 - 1910 Berlin
Portrait of Friedrich Alfred Krupp in his study, 1898
oil on canvas
115,5 x 131 cm
signed, inscribed and dated lower left: „L Noster / Auf dem Hügel / 1898“, old Inventory number (?) “356” on the frame
EXHIBITED:
Große Berliner Kunst-Ausstellung 1899, no. 801 (ill.)
PROVENANCE:
Bertha Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (Daughter of Friedrich Alfred Krupps and sole heiress of Friedrich Krupp AG)
Regina Thomas von Bohlen (Granddaughter of Bertha Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach)
Friedrich Alfred Krupp is seen here in his study in Villa Hügel, the family home, a vast two hundred and sixty-nine room Italianate mansion built in the 1870s on a cliff overhanging the Ruhr. This portrait was painted when the industrialist was forty-four years old. He had joined the family business in 1875 and took over the running of the firm when his father died in 1887. His father had focused on the production of iron and steel, but Friedrich expanded the company to include the production of armoured plate, submarines, ships and diesel engines and doubled the company's workforce from 20,000 in 1887 to 40,000 by 1902.
Noster portrays Krupp in his study – the wealthy industrialist, surrounded by family portraits, bronzes and other decorative items collected on his travels – he was a keen amateur marine biologist and collector, who travelled extensively, especially to Turkey and Capri where he spent several months each year. He died in 1902, possibly by his own hand as rumours of his homosexuality while on the island were widely reported in the press.
Ludwig Noster studied at the Academy of Arts in Berlin and Düsseldorf. In 1884 he moved to Berlin, where Anton von Werner supported him. He helped Noster to get a studio in the Imperial Palace and arranged numerous commissions from the Imperial Family for him. Noster was appointed as court portrait painter in 1896 and became professor at the Academy in 1907.
€ 28.000