Eduard von Gebhardt

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Eduard von Gebhardt (1838–1925) was a German historical painter. He was born at Suure-Jaani, Estonia, the son of a Protestant clergyman, and studied first at the Academy of St. Petersburg (1855-58). In 1860 he became the pupil of Wilhelm Sohn at Düsseldorf, where he permanently settled, and became professor at the academy in 1873.

There is a religious tone defining many of his most highly-regarded paintings. Their chief characteristic is their deep and powerful yet varied expression of religious feeling. The more important among the many biblical scenes he painted are:

• "Christ on the Cross" (1866, Reval)
• "The Last Supper" (1870, National Gallery, Berlin)
• "Crucifixion" (1873, Hamburg Gallery)
• "Ascension of Christ" (1881, National Gallery, Berlin)
• "Taking Care of Christ's Body" (1883, Dresden Gallery)
• "Jacob and the Angel" (1893, Dresden Gallery)
• "Christ and the Rich Youth" (1892, Düsseldorf Gallery)
• "Sermon on the Mount" (1893, Düsseldorf Gallery)
• "Healing of the Palsied" (1895, Breslau Museum)
• "Christ upon the Waters" (1902)

Of episodes from the Reformation one is ""The Reformer at Work" (1877, Leipzig Museum). In the former Cistercian monastery at Lokkum may be seen six mural paintings: "Scenes from the Life of Christ." Mural paintings of similar subjects may be found at the Friedenskirche, Düsseldorf.

Gebhardt also painted many excellent portraits, and was awarded gold medals at Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Vienna, and Paris; and was elected a member of the academies of Antwerp, Berlin, Brussels, Munich, and Vienna. He died in 1925.

This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.