KRÜGER,ædiaKrü krụ'gẽr, (1797-1857). A
German portrait and animal painter, born at
Radegast, Anhalt-Dessau. Entirely self-taught
by diligent study of nature, he early won recognition
and patronage among the aristocracy in
Berlin. All his equestrian portraits, as well as
his larger compositions depicting reviews and
other military and State functions and sporting
scenes, are remarkable for faithful characterization
of man and beast and minute execution of
details. For the Czar of Russia, who afterwards
summoned him repeatedly to Saint Petersburg, he painted the “Parade on the Opernplatz in Berlin, 1829,” containing more than one hundred portraits of Berlin celebrities of that time. Of equal historical interest are the “Parade of the Guards Before Frederick William III.” (1839), and “The Estates Taking the Oath of Allegiance to Frederick William IV. in 1840” (1843), both in the Royal Palace, Berlin. Among several equestrian groups may be mentioned “Czar Nicholas I. and Suite” (1834), the sketch for which is in the National Gallery, Berlin, which also contains “Going to the Meet,” “Return from the Hunt” (1818), and “Horse Stable” (1847). Krüger was Court painter, professor at the Berlin Academy, and the recipient of many orders and distinctions.