Celebrity painter

The artist Philipp Veit lived in Mainz from 1858 and became honorary director of our picture gallery. Now 58 years old, he worked in Mainz on a cycle of frescoes for Mainz Cathedral, which was executed by his students, such as Joseph Anton Nikolaus Settegast. This is only partially preserved today.

When this painting of the daughter of Frankfurt's first mayor was created, Veit was director of today's Städel Museum and a sought-after portraitist of Frankfurt's upper classes.

However, Veit became known above all for his works with Christian themes, which reflect his attitude as an early member of the Nazarene group of artists.

Veit died in 1877 and was buried in the main cemetery in Mainz. Due to his close connection to our picture gallery, it has a large collection of works by him and his Nazarene circle.