Kügelgen, Wilhelm von (1802 – 1867). Adam and Eve (1829)

Discover the captivating artwork “Adam and Eve (1829)” by the renowned German portrait and history painter, Wilhelm Georg Alexander von Kügelgen. This exquisite piece, meticulously crafted with ink on paper, bears the signature “WvK” on its lower centre. The reverse side of the artwork carries a label featuring inventory numbers and details about the artist. Wilhelm von Kügelgen, born in St.Petersburg and later settled in Ballenstedt, was a pivotal figure not just in the art world but also as a chamberlain at the Court of Anhalt-Bernburg. His legacy extends beyond his paintings; his memoirs, published posthumously, witnessed numerous editions from seventeen different publishers, making him an iconic figure in German art history. He was the prodigious offspring of the esteemed portrait and history painter, Gerhard von Kügelgen, and his childhood home in Dresden stands today as the Kügelgenhaus Museum. Wilhelm’s association with the Court of Anhalt-Bernburg and his ten-year service as the personal chamberlain to Duke Alexander Karl further underscores his distinguished career.