Lot 150: Charles de Chamisso (French, 1774-1824) or Hippolyte de Chamisso (French, 1769-1824)

A portrait of a Gentleman, possibly the artist's brother Adalbert (1781-1838), wearing blue silk doublet, white collar with pointed lace trim, gold medallion on link chain, indigo coloured cloak over his right arm and wide brimmed black hat adorned with white ostrich feather
signed on obverse De Chamisso and on reverse De Chemisse, gold frame with glazed reverse
Oval, 90mm. (3 1/2ins.) high

S.N.P.G., 2000-2003

The de Chamisso brothers were all artists working in France and Germany. Both Charles and Hippolyte signed their work 'de Chamisso' making indisputable identification of their work impossible.
The present lot bears a close resemblance to portraits of Adelbert (born Louis Charles Adelaide) Count de Chamisso, the youngest of the brothers. He fled France during the French Revolution at the age of 9 and spent the rest of his life in Prussia where he took the name Adelbert. In 1796 he became a page to Queen Friederike Luise of Prussia; and two years later he was commissioned as an ensign in the Prussian army. Chamisso became a poet during his army years and was heavily influenced by the Romantic movement. He mainly wrote poetry, but also wrote ballads and stories; amongst the short stories was 'The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihls'. This work influenced such authors as Hoffmann and Hans Christian Andersen.