Johann Sebastian Bach, or at least the only portrait made of the famous composer and pianist during his lifetime, will be returning to his home of Leipzig, Germany. The owner of the famous painting had willed it to the Bach Archive in the city.
The painting is believed to be the only portrait that was painted using the composer himself as a model. Bach sat down for local artist Elias Gottlob Haussmann during 1748, just two years before his death at the age of 63. All other known portraits of the musician were made subsequently using Haussmann's portrait as inspiration.
It spent most of its time in private hands other than Bach however. The most recent owner, who had held the painting for more than 60 years, was William H. Schneide, an entrepreneur who made his money by prospecting for oil in Pennsylvania and would retire at the age of 42. He spent his time and money collecting books and sponsoring causes, many of which were tied to classical music. He bought the Bach portrait during 1952 via an auction. He formally made the Bach Archive the recipient of the painting in his will during his 100th birthday celebrations in 2014, and not a hair too soon-the philanthropist would die soon after-although he had expressed his interest in sending the painting back to Leipzig as early as 1985.
It's interesting that the president of the Bach Archive—Englishman Sir John Eliot Gardiner—also has personal experience with the portrait. It belonged to his father around the time of World War II.
"I passed in front of it several times a day all through my Dorset childhood," he said. "It is both poignant and fitting to see the portrait leave its current home...and to witness its return to Leipzig."
The portrait will be formally handed over at a public ceremony in Leipzig on June 12.
