Who painted Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean?

Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean was painted by Frank Buchser in 1854.

Where can I see Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean?

Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

What movement is Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean?

Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean

Frank Buchser , 1854

Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean is an oil painting by the Realist artist Frank Buchser. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

Frank Buchser’s 1854 oil painting *Bildnis eines Freimaurers. Alderman W. Bean* presents a solitary figure against a dark backdrop. The work is part of the Kunsthaus Zürich’s collection and exemplifies Buchser’s realist approach, focusing on precise detail and a sober palette that emphasizes the sitter’s presence.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows a man in a red and white coat edged with fur, his expression solemn and his gaze directed outward. A book rests on the table before him, suggesting scholarly activity or affiliation with a learned organization, possibly a Masonic lodge, as implied by the title.

Technique & Style

Buchser employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to give volume to the face and hands. The brushwork is controlled, rendering the textures of fabric and fur with realism, while the muted background recedes, concentrating attention on the sitter’s features.

History & Provenance

Created during Buchser’s early career, the painting reflects his interest in portraiture of notable individuals, a genre he later pursued with American post‑Civil War figures and Orientalist subjects. After changing hands several times, the canvas entered the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s 19th‑century European holdings.

Artist & collection

Artist

Frank Buchser

Frank (originally Franz) Buchser (1828–1890) was a Swiss painter. He is noted for his portraits of notable American figures of the post civil war period and for his works with Oriental themes.