Johann Evangelist Scheffer von Leonhardshoff
Medium
graphite on wove paper
Dimensions
sheet: 32.1 x 23.7 cm (12 5/8 x 9 5/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund
Accession Number
2007.111.161
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This graphite drawing by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, created around 1822, offers an intimate portrait of the Austrian artist Johann Evangelist Scheffer von Leonhardshoff. Rendered on wove paper with delicate precision, the work measures just over 12 by 9 inches, showcasing the artist’s mastery of line and subtle shading. As a member of the Nazarene movement, Schnorr favored such drawings to capture the spirit of his contemporaries, emphasizing clarity, naturalism, and a return to early Renaissance ideals. The medium itself highlights the Nazarenes’ appreciation for drawing as both a preparatory tool and an independent art form. Graphite on paper allowed for fine detail and expressive freedom, qualities that reflect the group’s Romantic desire to revive sincere, spiritually infused art amid the industrial age. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, this sheet preserves a personal connection between two like-minded artists of the early nineteenth century.
About the Artist
Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld · 1794–1872
German, Leipzig 1794–1872 Dresden