KNAUS, knous, Ludwig, German painter: b. Wiesbaden, 5 Oct. 1829. From 1845 to 1852 he studied art at Diisseldorf under Sohn and Schadow, but soon shook himself free from their influence and started on a path of his own. He chose scenes from country life and in 1850 painted 'The Country Dance' ; 'The Players,' now in the gallery at Dussel dorf, a replica being in the gallery of Leip zig. His early pictures in this style were re ceived with favor, although characterized by the dark, dull coloring of the Diisseldorf school. In 1852 he went to Paris, and resided there for eight years, which were fruitful in many well-known pictures of his early style, 'The Golden Wedding) (1858) ' • 'The Baptism' (1859); and 'Starting for the Dance.' Re turning to Dusseldorf in 1866, he remained there for eight years, which period he produced the on which his reputation as a genre painter is chiefly founded. Among these are 'The Child's Party' (1869), in the Berlin National Gallery; 'Funeral in a Hes sian Village' (1871); 'The Goose-Girl' (1872). These works are distinguished by naturalness and naiveté, by delicate humor, of detail, lifelike coloring and vivid expression.
After his appointment to the direction of a studio in the Art Academy at Berlin he reached his latest manner, which was formed largely by his study of the Dutch school, from which he acquired his final skill as a colorist. His pictures, however, no longer showed the na iveté, the directness of his earlier productions; which were replaced by thoughtfulness and a striving after the didactic or admonitory. The most remarkable paintings of this period are 'The Holy Family' (1876) ; 'Tavern Scene— Bad Ways') (1876) ; 'The Refractory Model' (1877), etc. He has also painted many por traits combining the picturesqueness of genre with lifelike expression. Among his miscel laneous works are his designs in Watteau style for room decorations, his lead pencil sketches and aquarelles. Very many of his works have been reproduced by photography or engraving. Consult Pietsch in (Kiinstlermonographien) (Bielefeld 1896), and id., an album of Knaus' work, published by the Berlin Photographic Society.