Hofrath Parthey [Friedrich Parthey]

Welker, Ernst

Watercoloured pencil drawing by Ernst Welker. Portrait Friedrich Parthey (1745-1822), confidant of the Duchess Anna Dorothea of Kurlands, began a musical career at a young age and later became a music and house teacher of the Counts Medem. He taught especially Anna Dorothea of Kurland and her half-sister Elisa von der Recke. Parthey married the eldest daughter of the Berlin bookseller Nicolai in 1797, from whose marriage two children, Gustav and Lilli, emerged. Second wedding with Charlotte Eichmann. Later, Parthey received a position in the Berlin Ministry of Finance. He has since been titled “Hofrat.” Parthey is depicted as a pelican with portrait head. In addition to the title “Hofrath Parthey” and a verse under the picture, the left edge of the drawing is provided with a large and a small “P.” - subsequently provided with a cross behind title/name