Artwork

An Infant Asleep in His Crib

An Infant Asleep in His Crib, by Adolph Menzel, gouache, 1848
An Infant Asleep in His Crib, by Adolph Menzel, gouache, 1848

An Infant Asleep in His Crib is a gouache drawing by the Romanticist artist Adolph Menzel. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:dated at lower left in pastel: 14. Octob:/1848

About this work

The painting is called An Infant Asleep in His Crib. It was made in 1848 by Adolph Menzel. The artist used pastel on brown wove paper to create this work, which is a notable fact because pastel is a delicate medium that requires skill to use effectively. You can learn more about the technique used to create this painting by looking up pastel.

Overview

An Infant Asleep in His Crib is a drawing created by Adolph Menzel in 1848. It is executed in pastel on brown wove paper.

Technique & Style

The work showcases Menzel's skill with pastel, a fragile and demanding medium. The artist's use of pastel on brown wove paper adds to the drawing's distinctive character.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a child asleep in a crib, rendered in Menzel's characteristic observational style, which emphasizes careful attention to detail.

History & Provenance

Adolph Menzel was a prominent German Realist artist of the 19th century. He achieved significant success during his lifetime and was later knighted in 1898.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Adolph Menzel

Artist

Adolph Menzel

Adolph Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel (8 December 1815 – 9 February 1905) was a German Realist artist noted for drawings, etchings, and paintings.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted An Infant Asleep in His Crib?

An Infant Asleep in His Crib was painted by Adolph Menzel in 1848.

Where can I see An Infant Asleep in His Crib?

An Infant Asleep in His Crib is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is An Infant Asleep in His Crib?

An Infant Asleep in His Crib is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of An Infant Asleep in His Crib?

Museum-quality prints of An Infant Asleep in His Crib are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.