The Theodor Fontane Archive at the University of Potsdam has announced the acquisition of a gouache by the German artist Adolph von Menzel. The gouache, "Reading Lady," is dedicated to Emilie Fontane, the wife of Theodor Fontane, on the reverse side.
"Thanks to the support of the Kulturstiftung der Länder and the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung, the acquisition of this gouache illustrates the close friendship between Adolph von Menzel and the Fontane family," explains Dr. Anna Busch, deputy director of the Theodor Fontane Archive, who managed the acquisition. "For us, this closes a circle. The gouache is a very special addition to our collection."
Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert, Secretary General of the Kulturstiftung der Länder, recognizes in the "Reading Lady" a "very private biographical testament" that tells the story of the connection between two central figures in the German cultural history of the 19th century and their families. "I am very pleased that with the support of the Kulturstiftung der Länder, Menzel's gift to Emilie Fontane is now preserved in the Fontane Archive alongside the family estate and made accessible to the public in its historical context."
The gouache shows a lady, possibly Emilie Fontane herself, sitting at the railing of a steamship and, leaning forward, protecting herself from the wind with an open umbrella. She holds an open book on her lap.
Main Image :Adolph von Menzel: Lesende Dame, ca 1872
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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