Sketch for a self-portrait.

Drawing, black chalk, 41 x 25,5 cm, wove paper, signed on verso "W.v. Kaulbach" (some foxing).

Under passe-partout.

According to the ms. note at the bottom ("Entwurf zum Selbstporträt Kaulbach auf dem Zeit der Reformation"), these sketches of a head and hands were intended as preparatory drawings for the great mural painting made by von Kaulbach for the Neues Museum in Berlin, depicting the "Age of Reformation" (now destroyed). The verso of the sheet contains a second figure sketch for the portrait of Gustav Aldolf (1594-1632), King of Sweden, who was also included in the mural fresco. Wilhelm von Kaulbach (1805-1874) was one of the great historical mural painters of Germany, and was one of the favourite painters of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. His murals were part of Ludwig's plan to transform Munich as the German Athens. In 1854 he commenced his famous designs illustrative of the history of mankind for the Neues Museum at Berlin, which were executed by his pupils and completed in 1860. These major tableaux, together 30 feet long, and each comprising over one hundred figures above life-size, were inspired by Raphael's paintings for the Vatican Loggia.