Who is this Unbekannter Soldat?

[antonivs]

I bought this painting about four years ago. I have always wondered who he was. I guess it would be a long shot to have someone here recognize him but can anyone tell me anything from looking at the painting. He had his portrait painted so he might have been of some importance.

[crfraser]

Nice portrait to own either way. Very competently rendered.

Colin

[deradler1]

Young, Infantry Leutnant with 4 years service and Westwall medal.

[antonivs]

Thanks guys. So he probably served in the West. I only see one decoration above his pocket. Is that the Westwall medal and 4 year service medal? Thanks again.

[Admiraal]

Thanks guys. So he probably served in the West. I only see one decoration above his pocket. Is that the Westwall medal and 4 year service medal? Thanks again.

Nah that doesn´t mean much, many units got used for the invasion of Russia after that (and stayed on the easternfront).
I would say this is an early till mid-war portrett.

He would at least have gotten a KVKII Klasse after some time (ofcourse depends on his job, would be EKII for fron officer).
Never seen an officier that didn´t got **** after many years in the army.

[imi]

try to search and contact with the painter,you saw his sign on the painting

[antonivs]

try to search and contact with the painter,you saw his sign on the painting

It looks like it is signed Pauli, but he is probably dead. I will search for an artist called Pauli.

[Gran Sasso]

He had his portrait painted so he might have been of some importance.

What kind of statement is this??? - Only important people let do a painting???

[antonivs]

What kind of statement is this??? - Only important people let do a painting???

Can you write the second part in German because I am not sure if I understand what you mean. Anyway, I doubt every lowly buck private had a portrait done. I was not aware however that soldiers could privately purchase their portraits, so I guess any old person could have been painted.

[Simon O.]

Who's to say this was even something paid for? It might simply have been a comrade doing it for the guys birthday for all we know. It might also have been comissioned by the family based on a photograph.

[antonivs]

Who's to say this was even something paid for? It might simply have been a comrade doing it for the guys birthday for all we know. It might also have been comissioned by the family based on a photograph.

That could also be. I did not think about that.

[stross]

Regardless of why it was done, this is a spectacular portrait. The subtly of the facial features, the shading, the calm look of confidence, almost a smile, juxtaposed by the sadness in his eyes....(perhaps I see too much) Overall Im certain this was a known portrait artist of the time - but it would be best to look beyond military resources.

[antonivs]

I have another one also.
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://img524.imageshack.us/i/dscf2163.jpg/'><img src='http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/6935/dscf2163.jpg' border='0'/></a>
This one painted by Heinrich Ehmsen, who was condemned as a degenerate artist in 1933 and later served in the Wehrmacht, apparently painting portraits.