Friedrich Preller der Ältere

Born. 25.04.1804 in Eisenach
Died. 23.04.1878 in Weimar

About the artist

Friedrich Preller was born on 25 April 1804 in Eisenac. In October of the same year, the family moved to Weimar where his father had found work in the court confectionery.

After training at a drawing school (1814-1821), he helped Johann Wolfgang von Goethe bring his cloud drawings to perfection. Goethe was so impressed with his work that he sent him to Dresden for further studies. In 1824, he went to the Netherlands with the Grand Duke from Dresden, to study at the academy in Antwerp, where he continued to improve his skills.

Three years later he went to Italy to study for 4 years

He went to Norway In 1840, producing several works that can still be seen in Weimar today.

From 1844, he worked at the Fürstliche freie Zeichenschule in Weimar becoming its director in 1868.

He died in Weimar in 1878, two days before his 74th birthday.