Manasse Unger

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Manasse Unger (born March 14, 1802 in Coswig , † May 17, 1868 in Berlin ) was a German painter and art scholar . He was the youngest brother of Ephraim Salomon Unger (1789-1870). His father was David Salomon Unger (1754-1825), an antiques and jewelery dealer.

painter

Unger, who came from a Jewish family, spent his childhood and youth in Erfurt during the wars of liberation that shaped him . There he also received his scientific and artistic training. After attending a drawing school, Unger studied construction, but after having passed the geometer exam, this career was closed to him because he did not belong to the Protestant regional church . So Unger first became a painter, later an art historian and remained in this profession, even when he later converted to Protestantism. Unger painted very little in his later years, but worked as a restorer in addition to his art history studies.

Art scholar

Unger was one of the first art scholars in Germany to undertake a thorough examination of the technical properties and materials of a work of art. He used his study trips to Italy, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to study art and technology and to build up a considerable private collection. Unger was a recognized expert in the attribution of paintings. At that time its main importance lay in the field of aesthetics and art philosophy. Unger's most important work, “The Essence of Painting”, appeared in 1851, and in 1865 he wrote his “Critical Research in the Fields of Painting, Old and Modern” as a supplement.

Further life

In addition, Unger wrote a novella and two dramas. Unger, who had become a captain in the Prussian army, became head of the armed artists' corps during the revolution of 1848 and did his best to protect the royal art collections and the royal palace. He was engaged for many years, but could not marry due to the circumstances of the time until the bride and groom celebrated the anniversary of their silver engagement. Unger, who was considered original and witty and had a stimulating effect on many young artists, died on May 17, 1868 after a stroke in Berlin.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Unger, Manasse
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German painter and art scholar
DATE OF BIRTH March 14, 1802
PLACE OF BIRTH Coswig (Anhalt)
DATE OF DEATH May 17, 1868
Place of death Berlin