Photograph - autograph of noted German naval artist Hans Bohrdt

Hans Bohrdt (1857-1945) was one of Germany’s most renowned marine artists, both before and during WWI. Born in Berlin, Bohrdt had his first taste of maritime life at the age of 15 during a visit to Hamburg. A self-taught artist, he gained significant attention in the 1890s, catching the eye of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who became his patron. Bohrdt even accompanied the Kaiser on several cruises aboard the S. M. Y. Hohenzollern.

During WWI, Bohrdt’s prolific output, along with Professor Willy Stöwer, established him as a key depicter of German naval warfare. One of his most famous wartime paintings portrays the Battle of the Falklands, a decisive conflict on December 8, 1914, where the German East Asian Squadron was destroyed by the British. The painting features a lone German sailor standing defiantly on the wreckage of his ship, holding a kriegsflagge aloft. It is rumored that this sailor was from the crew of the Nürnberg, whose members chose to go down with their ship, flags in hand, rather than surrender.

Bohrdt enjoyed great success from 1890 to 1918. However, following the exile of his royal patron and the general public's aversion to military-themed artwork post-WWI, his popularity waned.

We are offering a photograph of Hans Bohrdt in a marine-themed uniform, complete with binoculars. He appears to be wearing a Kaiserlicher Yacht Club visor cap, reflecting his likely membership due to his close relationship with the club's commodore, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Below the photograph is a large clipped signature of Bohrdt.

These items are beautifully presented in a green matte that measures 10 3/4″ x 6 3/4″. The photograph itself measures 5 1/2″ x 3 1/4″, and the signature, bold and in black ink, measures 2 1/4″ x 4 1/4″.

This piece is a significant addition to any collection of naval or military memorabilia, offering a glimpse into the life and work of one of Germany's foremost marine artists, closely associated with key historical events and figures of his time.

Historical Analysis

To explore more about Hans Bohrdt and his significant impact on German naval art, visit German Naval History.

Military Games and Movies

1. Battlefield 1 - a WWI themed game that captures the essence of early 20th-century warfare. Battlefield 1
2. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) - a movie depicting the German perspective during WWI. IMDb

Ancestry Resources

Explore your German heritage and ancestry at these top sites:

1. Ancestry
2. MyHeritage

This item is priced at $225.00 and is identified by SKU 19-210.