Lenbach, Franz (1836–1904)

German painter. Noted for his realism, he was one of the most popular portraitists of his day, his sitters including Bismarck (whom he painted about 80 times), Gladstone, Wagner, Strauss, and Liszt.

.

Born in Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria, he studied under Piloty in Munich and then worked in Italy, where he was strongly influenced by the rich colours of Venetian art. In Rome, where he spent many of his winters, he became the centre of a brilliant artistic circle, and in Germany dominated the artistic life of Munich during the last decades of the 20th century.