George Henry Harlow (1789-1819) Portrait of Johann Baptist Cramer (1771-1858) Oil on panel 53.5 x...

George Henry Harlow (1789-1819)

Portrait of Johann Baptist Cramer (1771-1858)

Oil on panel

53.5 x 41cm; 21 x 16in

Provenance:

T. McLeans Gallery, London

Christie's, 12th Jan 1901, Lot 67

S. A. Taylor

By descent in the Wellesley family (erroneously thought to be a family member)

Private English collection

Johann Baptist Cramer was an English musician, pianist and composer, of German origin, brought to London as a child.  In 1799 he met Beethoven, who was later to describe him as the finest pianist of his day. He founded his musical instrument manufacturing and music publishing firm: Cramer & Co. who made the world famous Cramer Pianos.

A miniature version of this portrait was completed by George Lethbridge Saunders in 1827 and is owned by the NPG.