1839
oil
canvas
From the collection of Städel Museum
Dominant colour
A Guardian Angel Rescuing Emperor Maximilian from the Martinswand is a 1839 oil by Alfred Rethel, a German Romanticism work, held at Städel Museum.
This painting shows a dramatic scene with three figures. In the foreground, a man in a green coat and hat is crouched down, holding a crossbow. He seems to be in danger, as if he's about to fall off a cliff. Behind him, a tall figure in a brown cloak is reaching out to help. The figure is glowing with a soft light. The background of the painting is dark and moody, with mountains and trees visible in the distance. The overall mood is one of tension and rescue. The artist, Alfred Rethel, used chiaroscuro to create strong contrasts between light and dark, adding to the drama of the scene.
Alfred Rethel (1816–1859) was a German artist, born in Aachen.
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