(Erfurt 1814–1889 Berlin) Bathers by the River (Evening on the Orinoco?), signed Ferd. Bellermann, oil on canvas, 52.5 x 95 cm, unframed, (Rei)

Compare: Friedrich von Boetticher, Malerwerke des 19. Jahrhunderts, Vol. I,1, p. 78, No. 17,23,28 Ferdinand Bellermann: The artist attended the Freie Zeichenschule in Weimar from 1828. His family probably wished to have him educated as a porcelain painter but his eyesight was too poor and so Bellermann returned home to Erfurt. His great-uncle, who lived in Berlin, enabled him to study landscape painting for eight years at the Berlin Academy and he started with Karl Blechen in 1833. He also attended the atelier of August Wilhelm Schirmer at the same time. Blechen’s influence on Bellermann is evident in his precise studies of local and tropical flora. In 1837 Bellermann travelled with Conrad Schreiber to the Harz mountains, and in 1839 with Friedrich Preller the Elder to Hessen and Rügen, and through Belgium and Holland to Norway. The Prussian King purchased a large landscape painting of Bellermann’s. This painting demonstrated Bellermann’s ability to combine artistic composition with scientifically-verifiable precision, which encouraged A. von Humboldt to support Bellermann’s application for a royal travel stipend to stay in Venezuela. From 1842 to 1845 Bellermann travelled through large parts of Venezuela, including Caracas, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello and even Merida in the Andes. These experiences would leave their imprint on all of his future work and resulted in his being referred to hereafter as the “jungle painter”. Later journeys to Italy, in 1853-54 and 1877, changed this little although they did serve to expand his circle of themes. After returning from Venezuela, Bellermann took up the position of drawing master. In 1857 he became a Professor and, in 1866, was appointed successor to Schirmer as head of the landscape painting class. He contributed regularly to Berlin Academy exhibitions from 1836 onwards but also exhibited his works repeatedly, including at the world exhibitions in Paris and Vienna. His best works were his early works, painted whilst in Venezuela.