Richard Strauss | Two fine cabinet-style photographs signed, c.1888 and 1901

Richard Strauss

Two fine cabinet-style photographs signed

1) by Franz Hanfstaengl of Munich, 16.5 x 10.8cm, signed by the composer below the image ("RichardStrauss"), showing Strauss half-length, facing right with his arms folded in profile, no date [c.1888], a few tiny marks to image

2) carbon print by Gebr. Lützel of München, 16.6 x 10.7cm, signed and dated by the composer below the image ("RichardStrauss / Berlin, 29. April / 1901"), showing the 36-year-old Strauss in three-quarter profile, photographer's details and date blind-stamped on the image ("Gebr. Lützel...1900"), Berlin 29 April 1901, a few tiny marks

The earlier photograph shows the composer around the time of the composition of his tone-poem Don Juan, the work which established him as a leading composer of his day. The superb second photograph was taken in the year of Strauss's fiftieth opus, the opera Feuersnot.

LITERATURE:

TNG, xxiv, p.499