The New International Encyclopædia/Dietz, Feodor

DIETZ, dēts, (1813-70). A German historical and battle painter, born at Neunstetten, Baden. He first studied under Rudolf Kuntz in Karlsruhe, then at the Munich Academy (1833-36) under Clemens Zimmermann and under Philip Foltz, whom he aided in the decoration of the new royal palace. His first independent effort, &ldquo;Death of Max Piccolomini&rdquo; (1835), now in the Karlsruhe Gallery, attracted great attention. He spent three years in Paris, where he was influenced by Horace Vernet, and studied for a short time under Alaux. In 1839 he was awarded the great gold medal. He was appointed Court painter at Karlsruhe, but returned to Munich, where he produced his best work. He took part as a volunteer in the campaigns of 1848-49 in Schleswig-Holstein, and in 1862 was made professor of the newly created School of Arts at Karlsruhe. He died while serving in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. His work was often theatrical, but is clear in composition and spirited in treatment. Among his best works are the following: &ldquo;Nocturnal Review&ldquo; (1853), received with general favor and acquired by Napoleon III.; &ldquo;The Destruction of Heidelberg by General Melas&ldquo; (1856), his masterpiece, in the Gallery at Karlsruhe; &ldquo;Flight of an American Family Across the Susquehanna,&ldquo; an interesting romantic genre piece, Paris Exposition, 1867; &ldquo;Blücher's March to Paris&ldquo; (1868), in the National Gallery in Berlin.