Lenbach, Franz-Seraph von 1836-1904 :[Portrait of Otto von Bismarck, by L. F. copied from an original by Lenbach. ca 1890]

Half-length seated frontal portrait of Bismarck, in dark wide-brimmed hat and dark coat, with white drapery round his neck. Thought to be a copy of an original that sank with the German naval vessel Bismarck.

Given to the Turnbull in 1976 by the General Assembly Library with inscription on backing board (now discarded) Captain Joseph Nias. Nias was captain of H.M.S.Herald and was present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Considered to be a portrait of Nias until a copy was seen in Otago Early Settlers' Museum in April 1994 by German tourists, who recognised it as Bismarck. Identity confirmed by staff of the German Embassy in Wellington, May 1994.

Other Titles - Captain Joseph Nias [2nd half 19th century]

Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - LF [monogram] erp. [?] nach Lenbach [in brownish-red brushpoint]

Quantity: 1 oil(s).

Physical Description: Oil on canvas 1235 x 940 mm

Provenance: Probably donated to the New Zealand Government by the German Government in the 1890s.