Adolph Menzel
Scene by the Fireplace, 1876

Artist
Adolph Menzel

Title
scene by the fireplace

Year of creation
1876

Technique and dimensions
oil on canvas, 29 x 23 cm

Year of acquisition
2003

The consistency with which Menzel's lifelong interest split between the present and history could nowhere be made clearer than in the comparison of the iron rolling mill (1876), the oil study The Artist's Foot (1876), which was purchased by the association a few years ago, and the scene by the fireplace (1876), one small historical genre picture with subtle psychological accents, whose reflecting firelight makes it appear as a historical travesty of the iron rolling mill. The picturesque cabinet piece is a historical swansong of 19th century history painting, the development of which can be easily followed in the National Gallery. The picture hung for some time on loan from a private collection before the association was able to secure its permanent residence.

Angelika Wesenberg