Beethoven’s portrait

The painter Joseph Willibrord Mähler, resident in Vienna, completed 4 portraits of Beethoven, the first in 1804. This picture of the 34-year-old Beethoven is the only one known to show the composer’s full stature. Beethoven is holding a lyre in his left hand, the symbol of the god Apollo. Clearly he cherished this portrait by Mähler, as it accompanied him nearly everywhere.

Image: Ludwig van Beethoven Portrait by Joseph Willibrord Mähler, 1804 © Public domain