Artwork
Der Bärenzwinger im zoologischen Garten (The Bear Pit in the Zoological Gardens)
Der Bärenzwinger im zoologischen Garten (The Bear Pit in the Zoological Gardens) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Adolph Menzel. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:recto: in stone, in image, at upper right: Menzel
About this work
The painting shows a bear pit in a zoological garden. It's an old scene with a bear and some people watching. The artist, Adolph Menzel, drew this in 1851, and it's interesting because he was very young when he made it, and you can see his early style. To learn more about this kind of art, look up the technique: lithography.
Overview
Der Bärenzwinger im zoologischen Garten (The Bear Pit in the Zoological Gardens) is a lithograph created by Adolph von Menzel in 1851 on wove paper using the Chine appliqué technique. It is a print that showcases the artist's early work.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph depicts a scene from a zoological garden, specifically a bear enclosure with a bear and onlookers. The detailed rendering of the scene reflects Menzel's realist style.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the work demonstrates Menzel's skill with the medium. The use of Chine appliqué on wove paper adds to the print's texture and visual quality, characteristic of his precise and detailed realism.
History & Provenance
Created in 1851, this work is an early example of Menzel's artistry. Menzel was later recognized for his contributions to German art, being knighted in 1898.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Adolph Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel (8 December 1815 – 9 February 1905) was a German Realist artist noted for drawings, etchings, and paintings.
