Johann Friedrich Dryander was a German painter born in Sankt Johann, Saarbrücken, Germany in 1756 and died in the same city in 1812. He is known for his portraits of French officers and historical figures, which are now displayed in various museums across Europe.
Early Life and Training
Dryander was born into a family of modest means, with his father being a Posamentenmacher (a maker of ornamental objects). From 1772 to 1774, he was an apprentice to the court painter Johann Jakob Samhammer, along with his fellow student Johann Heinrich Schmidt. In 1774, Dryander moved to Darmstadt with his teacher and later became a wandering painter in southern Hesse.
Portraits of French Officers
As a court painter at the Nassau-Saarbrücken court, Dryander primarily painted portraits of the nobility and upper class. However, after the French Revolution in 1789, he began to focus on painting French officers, including
General Jourdan and his adjutant. These works are now displayed at the
Musée historique Lorrain in Nancy and the
Fine Arts museum in Rouen.
Some of his notable works include:
- Portrait du Général Bella, 1795, Salon-de-Provence
- Portrait du Citoyen Laboucly, Inspecteur de la Viande, 1794, Saarbrücken
- Portrait of Dominique Joseph Garat, 1794, Vizille, Musée de la Révolution française
- Portrait du général Jourdan et de son adjudant, 1794, Vizille, Musée de la Révolution française
Legacy and Collections
Dryander's works can be found in various museums, including the Saarlandmuseum in Saarbrücken and the
Musée des Beaux-arts in Rouen. His paintings are also mentioned in the
Dictionnaire des ventes d'art by Docteur Mireur.
For more information on Johann Friedrich Dryander and his works, visit the
WahooArt.com page or the
Wikipedia article. You can also explore the collections of the
Musée historique Lorrain and the Saarlandmuseum on their respective websites.
Key works:
Museums: