Who painted Portrait of Sophie Hermann?

Portrait of Sophie Hermann was painted by Carl Johann Lasch in 1850.

Where can I see Portrait of Sophie Hermann?

Portrait of Sophie Hermann is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of Sophie Hermann?

Portrait of Sophie Hermann is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Sophie Hermann?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Sophie Hermann are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Sophie Hermann

Carl Johann Lasch , 1850

Portrait of Sophie Hermann is an oil painting by the Realist artist Carl Johann Lasch. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Created circa 1850, this oil portrait presents a young woman named Sophie Hermann.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1850, this oil portrait presents a young woman named Sophie Hermann. Executed by German painter Carl Johann Lasch, the work exemplifies mid‑nineteenth‑century Realist portraiture. The canvas is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it remains on display as a representative example of Lasch’s focus on precise, unembellished representation.

Subject & Meaning

Sophie Hermann is shown with dark hair pulled back and a modest lace head covering edged in red, suggesting a genteel domestic setting. Her black dress, white lace collar, and draped white shawl convey a restrained elegance, while a gold brooch at her throat adds a subtle indication of personal status. The composition emphasizes her calm demeanor without overt symbolism.

Technique & Style

Lasch employs a tight brushwork that renders textures—lace, fabric, and hair—with meticulous clarity. The palette is restrained, dominated by muted blacks, whites, and earthy tones, allowing the red lining and gold brooch to stand out. The realistic treatment aligns with the broader Realist movement’s aim to depict subjects faithfully, avoiding idealization.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered private ownership before being acquired by the State Hermitage Museum, where it has been catalogued since the early twentieth century. Documentation traces the work to Lasch’s later career, reflecting his shift from historical scenes to individual portrait commissions.

Context

Carl Johann Lasch trained at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts and later at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, institutions that emphasized academic rigor and technical proficiency. By the 1850s, German portraiture was moving toward a more realistic approach, and Lasch’s work mirrors this transition, situating the painting within the evolving aesthetic of mid‑century German art.