My Grandmother (Antonnia Sophia Sommermeyer)'s "Grand-Uncle Chris" was a general on the Kaiser's staff during the Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871.
He was one of 7 (or 13?) generals sent to receive Napoleon III's sword after the battle of Sedan.
He was a classmate of the Kaiser when they both attended Heidelberg.
After the war, as a result of the bloodshed and killing he had seen, he resigned and became a missionary to southern Africa.
This painting may have been painted by my Grandmother's sister (I think it was Adele) who returned to Europe for several years to study art in Hamburg.
I have no other information about him, if you have any please let me know.
(c) 2003 Thomas F. Swezey All rights reserved.