Gerhard von Breuning, son of the composer's friend
Stephan von Breuning, gave this description of Johann to
Alexander Wheelock Thayer: "His frame was not actually large, but was much larger than Ludwig's. His nose was large and rather long; his eyes were not evenly set, so that one got the impression he had a cast in one eye.... In his clothing he played the well-to-do dandy, but that did not suit his bony, angular figure. He bore no resemblance whatever to his brother Ludwig."
Count Moritz Lichnowsky, in the winter of 1822/23, said of Johann (during a conversation with Ludwig van Beethoven and recorded in the composer's conversation books): "Everyone makes a fool of him; we call him simply 'The Chevalier'. — Everybody says his only merit is that he bears your name." ==References==