Leibniz – Chronicle of a Lost Painting

Leibniz – Chronicle of a Lost Painting
by Edgar Reitz
2025 | Germany | Drama | 1h 44m

Queen Charlotte has admired the Enlightenment philosopher Leibniz ever since she was his student. As Queen of Prussia, she longs for his wise answers to life’s great questions—so much so that she commissions a portrait of him. Edgar Reitz films the painting sessions as a series of passionate debates between the philosopher and the artists. Yet it is only the Dutch painter Aaltje van der Meer who challenges him through her unwavering devotion to art. Aaltje’s portrait of Leibniz, later recognised as a masterpiece of Baroque painting, remains lost to this day.

Cast: Edgar Selge, Aenne Schwarz, Lars Eidinger, Michael Kranz, Barbara Sukowa