Frank Duveneck
Frank Duveneck was born to German immigrants in Covington, Kentucky. As a teenager, he apprenticed in an altar-building shop in Cincinnati, where his teachers encouraged him to travel to Germany to study. His training at Munich’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts helped him develop a confident painting style. After a trip to Venice in 1877, Duveneck started his own painting school in Munich, guiding his students (known as the “Duveneck Boys”) around Europe’s art capitals, including Venice and Florence.
What influences your definition of beauty?
In this portrait, Duveneck emphasized his sitter’s striking beauty. His interpretation of his model focuses attention on her dark eyes, glittering gold headpiece, opalescent pearl necklace, large hoop earrings, and Turkish vest. Her skin, carefully modeled in tones of tan and pink, radiates with realistic warmth. Duveneck gave this picture as a Christmas gift to his student and future wife Elizabeth Boott, who, in her own paintings, also often portrayed women in elaborate costumes from other cultures.
Gift of the Grandchildren of Frank Duveneck
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