Cornelius, Peter von, 1783–1867, German painter. He studied at Düsseldorf and in Rome, where he joined the German Nazarene group and collaborated with other members in the decoration of the Casa Bartoldy. In 1820 he was commissioned by Louis I of Bavaria to paint the fresco decorations in the Glyptothek, Munich. The Last Judgment was one of his fresco decorations for the Ludwigskirche, Munich. Cornelius believed that art should express noble ideals, and he disdained to work from nature. His favorite themes were religious or philosophical. In addition to his painting, Cornelius produced illustrations for Faust and the Nibelungenlied and designs for the decoration of the royal mausoleum, done for Frederick William II of Prussia.
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