A German Hand in the Mid-Eighteenth Century
The year is 1710. In Germany, David Lüders begins a life that will eventually leave its mark on the portraiture of the era. He moves through a world defined by the precision of oil on canvas and the delicate textures of mezzotint. His brush captures more than just faces; it records the quiet presence of subjects like a young boy with a toy gun and a dog, a work that later finds its way into the Hermitage-Vyborg Exhibition Centre.
His career exists in the tension between original oil paintings and the reproduction of his vision through print. In 1751, the mezzotint artist James Macardell works after Lüders to translate a portrait of King George III—then still the Prince of Wales—into a different medium. This connection links Lüders' German origins to the broader European fascination with royal imagery.
The Weight of the Canvas
Lüders operates within a specific technical realm. His works, such as the Portrait of a young boy with toy gun and dog, utilize oil on canvas to establish depth and character. The dimensions of his notable pieces, like the 79 cm by 60 cm portrait, suggest an intimate scale intended for close observation.
The market reflects the enduring presence of his hand in historical collections. His works appear in auction records with significant variation:
- A recorded price of $77,730.80 for a specific lot.
- The sale of PORTRAIT OF DUKE KARL I for 55,704.36 USD.
- An average auction price of approximately $30,227.39 across recorded sales.
A Final Chapter
The timeline of his life reaches its conclusion in 1759. He leaves behind a body of work that survives through major institutions and private collections alike. While the specifics of his daily movements remain obscured by time, the physical remnants of his labor—the pigments on canvas and the etched lines of prints—continue to exist in galleries such as Gallerix.
Questions & Answers
Where is David Luders from?
David Luders was born in Germany.
In which historical period did David Luders work?
David Luders worked in the Early-Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.
Where can I see David Luders's artworks in a 3D gallery?
A virtual visit is possible: the 3D Museum page of David Luders presents the artist's works in a three-dimensional gallery.
Which artworks by David Luders are the most viewed?
The Stats page of David Luders presents statistics computed from the artist's artworks listed on this website.
