Eduard von Grützner jelzéssel (1846–1925)

presumably Eduard von Grützner (1846–1925) was a German painter and art professor, particularly known for his genre paintings depicting monks. He also frequently painted William Shakespeare’s character Falstaff. He was born in 1846 in Groß-Karlowitz, Prussia (now Poland). In 1864, he moved to Munich, where he began his artistic studies at Hermann Dyck’s private school. He later attended the Munich Academy, where he was a student of Hermann Anschütz and Carl Theodor von Piloty. In 1870, he opened his own studio in Munich and quickly became a successful painter. In 1886, Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria awarded him the title of professor. He was a passionate art collector, initially favoring late Gothic and early Renaissance works, later developing an interest in Far Eastern art. His first wife was Barbara Link, with whom he had a daughter, Barbara. His second wife was Anna Grützner Wirthmann, with whom he had a son, Karl Eduard. Alongside Carl Spitzweg and Franz von Defregger, Grützner was one of the leading genre painters in Munich in the second half of the 19th century. His works are known for their detailed academic execution and humorous, anecdotal themes. Grützner’s paintings remain highly sought after by collectors today and can be found in numerous galleries.