Franz von Lenbach

Lenbach began his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich in 1854, embarking on his path as an artist.¹

In 1858, he held an exhibition at the Glaspalast and won a travel scholarship to Rome.¹

In 1882, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown, entitling him to use the name 'von Lenbach'.¹

In 1885, Lenbach was commissioned to paint a portrait of Pope Leo XIII, which was created from a photographic template due to the Pope's lack of time.¹

Lenbach married Constanze von Hornstein in 1887.¹

In 1895, a major scandal erupted when an assistant took unfinished paintings and sketches, had students fill in the details, and passed them off as Lenbach's work.¹

In 1902, he became an honorary Knight of the Légion d’Honneur and suffered a stroke that same year, never fully recovering.¹