Theodor Martens

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Theodor Martens (August 27, 1822, Wismar, Germany - October 1, 1884, Portici, Italy) was a 19th century German artist.

Martens had nine children. He resided in Düsseldorf, Paris, Hamburg, Schwerin and Portici, in addition to Wismar. Martens worked as a merchant until age 40 when he took up art as his full time vocation. Martens studied with Webers in Düsseldorf and Lambinet in Paris.

His work was especially influenced by the Barbizon school masters such as Corot, Daubigny and Diaz. In 1874 he received a silver medal during a show at the London Crystal Palace. He died from cholera, aged 62.

His paintings are of a realistic style that anticipates the impressionists to follow. Many landscapes and architectural subjects are included in his work. His works were considered very modern by contemporaries. Many examples of his work may be found today at the Schwerin State Art Museum in Schwerin, Germany and in the Schwerin Castle located in that northern German city.

An example of his work is found at an AOL homepage ([1]).

A painting by Martens was sold July 6 2004 at auction at Bonhams in London for $790 (US) it was a 27.5 by 35 centimeter oil titled "A river at dusk", the auction report did not disclose a date for the painting.

Artnet.de a German language website ([2]) also has some information on Theodor Martens and two examples of his paintings.