Attributed to Caspar Schneider (German, 1753-1839) A Set of Five Portraits of a German Patriciat...

Attributed to Caspar Schneider (German, 1753-1839) A Set of Five Portraits of a German Patriciate Family unsigned; inscribed in a later hand 'Johaña.Henri.Magd.Zenckin. / SG.p.1771 / Orig.' (on the reverse of the portrait of the woman in pink leaning against the keyboard); inscribed in a later hand 'M.R. Zenckin / Zeb Kernine (?) / C. Schneider / 1771 Pinx' (on the reverse of the portrait of the older woman in pearls and lace) oil on canvas 90.0 x 76.0 cm (35 7/16 x 29 15/16 in). framed 106.0 x 88.0 x 5.0 cm (41 11/16 x 34 5/8 x 2 in). Footnotes: Provenance Sale, Germany, Badum Auktionen Bamberg, November 26, 2002, lot 127. Acquired as a set of five from the above by a Distinctive New York collection. N.B. 18th-century Nuremberg was ruled by a group of powerful families who comprised the Inner Circle of the Patriciate of the Imperial City of Nuremberg. This system began in its early forms in around 1256 and persisted until the end of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. Most members of the Council came from noble families and wealthy merchant families, although the end of the 18th century saw a move away from the merchant-class aristocracy and toward the more aloof form of aristocracy seen elsewhere in Europe. Each patrician family was permitted up to two members (senators) who would be re-elected (although primarily for show) annually. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing