1802 miniature painted on ivory by Hornemann Beethoven-Haus. Beethoven gave this picture to Stephan von Breuning in 1804 as a sign of reconciliation. "Behind this painting, my good, dear St., let us hide for ever what has divided us for a time." Beethoven wrote these words in a letter when sending him this picture. Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized December 17, 1770 - March 26, 1827) was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. Beethoven moved to Vienna in his early 20s, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. His hearing began to deteriorate in his late twenties, yet he continued to compose, conduct, and perform, even after becoming completely deaf. In about 1800 his hearing began to deteriorate, and by the last decade of his life he was almost totally deaf. He gave up conducting and performing in public but continued to compose; many of his most admired works come from this period. He died in 1827 at the age of 56 during a thunderstorm. An autopsy revealed significant liver damage, which may have been due to heavy alcohol consumption.