Emil Hünten

Johann Emil Hünten, born on January 19, 1827 in Paris and died on February 1, 1902 in Düsseldorf, was an outstanding representative of the Düsseldorf School and enjoyed recognition during his lifetime for his broad artistic oeuvre. He was particularly well known and honored for his historical depictions of the life of Frederick the Great and for his event and history painting, which reached its peak during his lifetime. Alongside Hünten, Adolph Menzel, Wilhelm Camphausen and Georg Bleibtreu were among the most important artists of this era.
The naturalistic movement was present in many European countries, but it was only in France that it developed into the realism movement. As the son of the Parisian piano composer François Hünten, Johann Emil began his artistic training at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris under the guidance of Hippolyte Flandrin and Horace Vernet. He later continued his studies in Antwerp, where he was influenced by artists such as Gustave Wappers, Josephus Laurentius Dyckmans, Nicaise de Keyser and Hendrik Leys.
After Hünten had completed his first equestrian studies in Koblenz during his time in the Prussian artillery, he settled in Düsseldorf in 1854. There he became a pupil of Wilhelm Camphausen and joined the artists’ association “Malkasten”. Here he deepened his studies of horses and created important works such as “Cuirassiers from the time of Frederick II, charging across a bridge”. Later, with his painting “Battle of Krefeld” in 1860, he turned to contemporary motifs.
During the campaign in Schleswig-Holstein in 1864, Hünten initially accompanied the Austrian brigade. He was one of the few artists, including Camphausen, Bleibtreu and Louis Braun, who were close to the fighting troops. Later, during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, he visited the army camps and battlefields several times, which lent his works an extraordinary realism.
Hünten continued to work tirelessly until his death. He became a member of the Berlin Academy in 1878 and was awarded a professorship in 1879. His students included well-known painters such as Ernest Crofts, Ludwig Fay and Moritz Blanckarts. His works were appreciated by public clients and wealthy citizens alike.
Hünten’s paintings, which often have a documentary quality, stand in contrast to the romantic painting of his time and were appreciated for their factual depiction. His battle paintings, in which he masterfully captured the movement of the horses, are particularly noteworthy. His works were also inspired by writers such as Theodor Fontane and served as a source of information for historians and literary figures.
Since their creation, Hünten’s works have been widely reproduced. Today, many of his paintings are offered as digital prints on canvas and his artistic significance remains, as in the exhibition of artworks during the International Music Festival Week “Bergisches Musikfenster 2007”.