Philipp Veit

He studied at the Dresden Academy under the landscape master Caspar David Friedrich, showing great talent in drawing but initially struggling with oil painting.¹

Born as the grandson of Moses Mendelssohn, he converted to Catholicism in 1810, which formed the spiritual basis for his later religious art.¹

He fought against Napoleon's forces in 1813–14 as part of the Lützow Free Corps, befriending Romantic poets like Joseph von Eichendorff.¹

He collaborated with fellow Nazarenes on the frescoes of 'Joseph and his brethren' at Casa Bartholdy, executing scenes like 'Potiphar's wife.'¹

He is credited with being the first to revive the nearly forgotten technique of fresco painting as a leading member of the Nazarene movement.¹

In Rome, he joined the Brotherhood of St. Luke (Nazarenes), living a monastic life in an abandoned monastery to pursue spiritually inspired art.¹

From 1830 to 1843, he served as the director and professor at the Städel Institute in Frankfurt, mentoring students like Alfred Rethel.¹

He painted four portraits of Holy Roman Emperors, including Charlemagne, for the Emperor's Hall in Frankfurt's City Hall.¹

He painted the iconic 'Germania' for the 1848 Frankfurt Parliament, which served as a powerful symbol for German unification and a national constitution.¹