A delightful boy's portrait of Heinrich Adolph von Dittmer (1772)

Oil on canvas
ca. 80 cm x 62 cm
Presented in gilt wooden frame (92.5 cm x 75 cm)
Incribed verson on the stretcher
ready to hang

A delightful portrait of a boy, whose richly embroidered garments and cannot fully camoulfage the naughty twinkle in his eye. The floral pattern of his shiny silk waistcoat are mirrored by the flower bouquet to his left and the pink rose in his hand.
An incription on the stretcher identifies the sitter as Heinrich Adolph von Dittmer, who was born on 23.12.1765 and son of a Bavarian court banker and merchant. He died on 9.1.1795 at the young age of 29, shortly before his planned marriage. His biography has been captured by his friend Hieronymus Paul von Mämmingen, 'Kurze Lebensgeschichte des den 9ten Jänner dieses 1795sten Jahrs verstorbenen Heinrich Adolph von Dittmer' (Regensburg, 1795).