Johann Kruse (1859–1917) was a violinist from Geelong who studied in Germany at the Berlin Hochschule and went on to become the principal violinist and sub-conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He returned briefly to Melbourne in 1885, where he gave concerts with a promising young singer, the future Dame Nellie Melba. After returning to Berlin, he visited Melbourne again briefly in 1895, when Roberts painted this portrait.