Herbert König

Herbert König was a German graphic artist, illustrator and watercolorist.

Life and work

After he had completed his training at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, he joined a theater company, where he tried his hand at acting and directing. During the German Revolution, he gave up the stage and settled in Munich; working as a draftsman and caricaturist.
He eventually earned his living with humorous and satirical sketches for several newspapers and magazines; notably the Fliegende Blätter.
His frequent study trips took him to Austria, Hungary, Belgium and the Netherlands. In 1852, he accepted an offer in Leipzig; becoming a staff illustrator for Die Gartenlaube and the Illustrirte Zeitung. He later moved to Berlin, where he stayed for five years, creating portraits of notable people; primarily actors and other entertainers.
He then returned to Saxony and settled in Niederlößnitz, where he built a Swiss style home, known as the. He died there in 1876, after becoming ill during a trip to Italy.
His book illustrations include those for Fritz Wildhaus Abenteuer zu Wasser und zu Lande by Friedrich Gerstäcker; published posthumously.