Figure 1.-- We do not have many examples of Baptist's work, but the one portrait we have archived is a huge portrait of the large Neuss family (1842). Baptist's skill in drawing is evident in this monumental work. Several children are depicted. The skeleton suit had gone out of style. Colorful tunics were very popular for the younger boys. The older boy and teens all wear black like their father, although a little color is allowed in the vests/waistcoats. Josef Neuss was a prosperous needle manufacturer in Aachen. He and his wife of course are seated at the center of the work on the occasion of their silver anniversary. It is a wonderful example of the Bidermeier style. Notice that the boy and girls are dressed similarly. The boys' tunics are horter than the dresses and worn with a belt. We are not sure bout the gender of the youngest child delivering the silver anniversary gift. He or she is young enough that pantalettes/pantaloons were not deemed necessary. I think the little girl at the right is going to deliver a wreath. Although very young, she is wearing pantalettes.

Johann Baptist/Joseph Bastiné was a portrait and history artist. He is decribed as a Flemish-German artist. He founded Aachen School of Drawing (1811). Aachen of course is the German city closest to Flanders. At the time he was born Belgium and Germany did not exist the people's identities could be very different than is the case today. Johann was born in Löwen/Leuven/Louvain (1783). These were tumultuous times--the French Revolution. The concept of Flanders existed, but Germany was still just an idea. Leuven was the capital and largest city of the province of Flemish Brabant The French seized Flanders, but after the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, Flanders and Wallonia were stitched together as a brand new country --Belgium. Baptist seems to have gravitated toward Germany. He was trained at the Leuven Academy of Fine Arts (1802/03). He went to Paris as a young man and studied under none other than Jacques Louis David. This was under the beginning of the peak of Napoleonic France. He then moved to Aachen (1804). He founded a drawing school (1811) which became a 'small academy'. He married Theresia van Vlasselaer. Baptist and his drawing school focused on portraiture. Baptist produced 'preparatory drawings', and studies produced in Paris. He also produced sculptures, many of which replicas of antique sculptures. All of this and his emphasis on nature study resulted in real success in his drawing students. Baptist also began teaching at the Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium in Aachen (1814) and taught there for the rest of his life. We do not have many examples of his work, but the one portrait we have archived is a huge portrait of the large Neuss family (1842). Baptist's skill in drawing is evident. Several children are depicted. The skeleton suit had gone out of style. Colorful tunics were very popular for the younger boys. Josef Neuss was a prosperous needle manufacturer in Aachen.

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Created: 7:42 PM 12/11/2025
Last updated: 7:43 PM 12/11/2025