Sale 213 Lot 166

LUDWIG EMIL GRIMM
German, 1790–1863
Two Engraved works of children of African or mixed-descent, early 19th century
Two small engraved portraits which are sensitive, realistic studies of children of African or mixed-descent. The artist was known for his meticulous "from life" drawing style. The portrait on the left features a child in a three-quarter view with a direct, solemn gaze, while the portrait on the right shows a profile view, highlighting the artist's attention to naturalistic facial features and textures of hair. These works, such as his notable Zwei Mulatten (Two Mulattoes) studies from 1815, reflect Grimm’s broader interest in documenting the diverse social fabric of his time with a level of psychological depth that distinguishes his portraits from the more caricatured depictions common in that era. Unframed and not mounted.
Plate (image): 3 x 2.25 inches and 2.25 x 2 inches; sheets are 4 x 4 inches
$120-160

ARTIST PROFILE: Ludwig Emil Grimm (1790–1863). Ludwig Emil Grimm was a prominent German painter, etcher, and educator, though he is perhaps most widely recognized today as the "painter brother" of the legendary folklorists Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Born in Hanau, he developed a distinct artistic voice within the Romantic movement, eventually becoming a professor at the Academy of Arts in Kassel. His work was instrumental in visualising the spirit of his era; he famously provided the charming illustrations for the first editions of his brothers' Children's and Household Tales, helping to define the aesthetic of German fairy tales for generations. Beyond book illustration, Ludwig was a master of etching and copper engraving, renowned for his meticulous portraits and landscape sketches that captured the intimate, everyday reality of 19th-century Hessian life. His legacy remains a vital link between the literary and visual arts of German Romanticism.