Classicist portrait was executed in 1814 and depicts 15- year old Ferdinand Leitenberger (1799 - Reichstadt/Bohemia - 1869), futter famous fire brigade pioneer of Austrian-Hungarian monarchy. This is one of 4 portraits (see next item numbers) of 4 siblings family Leitenberger.

Ferdinand Leitenberger became the captain in the cavalry in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. He served in Galicia, Transylvania and Hungary. When he had to resign from the service in 1838, at the age of 39, due to illness, he returned to his home town.

The experiences he had as a soldier prompted him to organize the establishment of a volunteer fire brigade. This was remarkable because there was hardly anything comparable up to that point. He wrote down his idea for this fire-life-saving extinguishing system and it also found a hearing with the mayor of Reichstadt. The Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I, who had lived temporarily at Reichstadt Castle since his abdication in 1848, also supported him.

In 1851 he was able to found the Pompiers-Corps in Reichstadt, of which he became the first captain. This fire brigade is considered to be the first volunteer fire brigade in the Austrian part of Austria-Hungary. He wrote down his experiences in his own fire department and used them to promote the establishment of new fire departments, especially in the Bohemian region.

But Ferdinand Leitenberger was not only dedicated to organization; he also developed a low-cost alternative to the much more expensive hydrophore, the hose water feeder, which he also patented in Vienna in 1853.

Literature: on-line Wikipedia on German.

Inscription:  on the back of the canvas inscribed in German: ”geb. 31.März 1799, gemalt Sept. 1814".. ( born..1799, painted ...1814); to the framed mounted original bronze plaque with the name of the sitter: ”Ferdinand Leitwnbwrger, geb. (born) 31.V.1799”. 

Technique: oil on canvas. Original period frame .

Measurements: unframed w 39 3/8" x h 27 1/2" (28 x 38,5 cm), framed w 46 7/8" x h 34 5/8" (36 x 44,8 cm).

Condition: good due to the age, professionally restored.