His father was a prominent Berlin banker and
from an early age Bendemann met the city's intellectuals. He went to study in
Düsseldorf, Germany, where he became a member of a celebrated school of art
students later known as the 'Düsseldorf School'. Already when he was 17 his
work was attracting attention and his 'Jews Mourning the Babylonian Exile' was
considered the masterpiece of the 1832 exhibition of the Berlin Academy of Art.
In the early 1830's he produced some of his best-known canvases. In 1835 he
converted to Christianity. Three years later, Bendemann accepted a professorship
at the Dresden Academy and decorated three rooms of the royal palace. From 1869
he directed the Düsseldorf Academy. He was noted for his biblical pictures, his
portraits and book illustrations.
Bibliography
Bendemann, Eduard. The frescoes in the royal palace in Dresden. [with
explanations by J.G. Droysen]. New York: Stroefer & Kirchner [1859?]
Links
Eduard Julius Bendemann- Jewish Encyclopedia.com
