Hermann Prell (1854–1922) was a German historical painter and sculptor. He was born at Leipzig and studied under Grosse in Dresden and Gussow in Berlin, then went to Italy to study fresco painting, in which branch he produced his most important works. Chief of these are: 11 mural paintings symbolizing the "Principal Epochs in the History of Architecture" (1881–82, Banquet Hall, Architects' Union, Berlin); "Justice" and "Valor" and "Henry IV Granting Privileges to Worms in 1074" (City Hall, Worms); cycles of historic episodes and allegorical scenes, respectively, in the city halls at Hildesheim (1888–91) and Danzig (1896) and over the staircase of the Breslau Museum (1894); mythological scenes and sculptures in the Albertinum (1901–05) and the Rathaus , Dresden (1908–12), and the frieze with subjects from northern mythology in the throne room of the German Embassy in Rome. Of his easel paintings the Dresden Gallery containsthe "Betrayal of Christ" (1886), and the Breslau Museum a "Repose in Egypt" (1890). Prell was a member of the Academy of Berlin, where he taught in 1886-91, and of Dresden, in which he became professor; and he received the great gold medal at Berlin in 1893. He ranks as one of the foremost historical painters of the Germany of his time. He is especially known for his successful use of casein colors in fresco. In later life, he essayed sculpture. For his biography, consult F. H. Meissner (Vienna, 1898) and A. Rosenberg (Bielefeld, 1901); for illustrations of his works, G. Galland (Charlottenburg, 1904).
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