Bismarck in Kürassieruniform (Kniestück)

Franz von Lenbach's 'Bismarck in Kürassieruniform (Kniestück)' (Bismarck in Cuirassier Uniform, Knee-Length, 1888) depicts the Chancellor in the distinctive white uniform of the Prussian Cuirassier Regiment — the honorary military rank and its dramatic dress uniform giving the portrait a different visual character from his civilian portraits. Bismarck had held the honorary rank of General of the Cuirassiers, and his appearance in the white uniform with the gleaming breastplate was among the most visually striking of his several official portraits. Lenbach's depiction of the military costume required different technical handling from his usual civilian portraiture.

Lenbach renders the white Cuirassier uniform with its distinctive chromatic challenge — the white tunic and gleaming metal breastplate requiring careful observation of tonal variation within near-white and reflective metal. His old-master technique approaches the uniform as a study in subtle value relationships within a high-key area of the composition. The contrast between the brilliant uniform and Bismarck's weathered face creates the portrait's fundamental visual tension.