The Life and Art of F. L. Schmitz
Frans Liborius Schmitz was a German painter and silhouette artist. Originally trained as a printer, he transitioned into the art of silhouette cutting. His life was one of constant movement; he traveled from place to place to showcase his craft and seek new commissions. After touring through Germany and France, he settled in Scandinavia in 1803, using Copenhagen as the center for his itinerant lifestyle. He was known for his remarkable virtuosity, claiming in his advertisements that he could cut a portrait in just one or two minutes using his left hand.
His work has been preserved in various collections and featured in significant exhibitions. His silhouettes are represented in several institutions, including:
Among his recognized works is a Portrait of an officer held by the Finnish National Gallery in Helsinki.
