A Home for the Germans in Paris. The portrait of Alexander von Humboldt for Auguste and Sophie Léo

The Deutsches Historisches Museum (DHM) recently acquired a portrait of Alexander von Humboldt that had been painted around 1835 during his stay in Paris. It represents a private testimony to his friendship with the family of the banker Auguste Léo. Dr Sabine Beneke, head of the DHM Art Collection, describes the painting and the context in which it came about.