Adolph von Menzel

German, 1815–1905

Adolph von Menzel (1815–1905) was a German Realist artist recognized for his drawings, etchings, and paintings. Born in Breslau, he moved to Berlin in 1830 and took over his family's lithographic business after his father's death. Menzel studied briefly at the Berlin Academy of Art before becoming self-taught, and gained early recognition for his graphic work and history paintings, especially those related to Frederick the Great. He spent most of his life in Berlin, was knighted in 1898, and became known for his detachment from others and distinctive physical appearance.

Sources: Wikipedia (en): Adolph Menzel · Wikidata Q164961

58 artworks

The Berlin-Potsdam Railway

Adolph von Menzel

Mondschein über den Dächern von Berlin

Adolph von Menzel

Landscape

Adolph von Menzel

Building Site with Willows

Adolph von Menzel

The Back Garden

Adolph von Menzel

A lively scene depicting townspeople interacting with camel drivers in Partenkirchen.

The wandering circus (Camel drivers in Partenkirchen)

Adolph von Menzel

A dramatic sky filled with swirling clouds, illuminated by hints of pink and ivory, above a low horizon of silhouetted trees.

Cloud Study

Adolph von Menzel

A woman in a Rococo gown stands before a bookcase, her hand touching the glass, gazing thoughtfully beyond the shelves.

Adolf Friedrich Erdmann Menzel Dame in Rokoko Kostüm vor einem Bücherschrank (Prinzessin Amalie von Hohenzollern) 2320 Führermuseum

Adolph von Menzel

A crowded hall with ancient statues and figures, some dissolving into sketch, illuminated by deep shadows and red columns.

Aufbewahrungssaal während des Museumsumbaus Adolf Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel (Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin)

Adolph von Menzel

A detailed portrait of a man with spectacles, a slight smile, and a white cravat, capturing his intelligence and character.

Chodowiecki on the Jannowitz Bridge

Adolph von Menzel

A woman in a rose-pink shawl stands poised at a threshold, holding a parasol with a calm gaze.

Clara Schmidt von Knobelsdorff ready to go out

Adolph von Menzel

A vibrant Corpus Christi procession with red-robed clergy and curious onlookers amidst a lively atmosphere.

Corpus Christi procession in Hofgastein

Adolph von Menzel

A bustling ballroom scene filled with elegantly dressed figures, capturing the energy and movement of a grand evening.

Adolf Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel 032

Adolph von Menzel

A lively gathering of personalities around a table in a grand room, illuminated by light from a tall window.

The Round Table of King Frederick II in Sanssouci (Sketch)

Adolph von Menzel

A dramatic scene with a central figure illuminated by lantern light, surrounded by soldiers and onlookers in a shadowy interior.

Frederick the Great at Lissa: Bonsoir, Messieurs

Adolph von Menzel

A serene church interior with worshippers in silent devotion, illuminated by golden light filtering through iron gates.

Frühmesse 3699 Österreichische Galerie Belvedere

Adolph von Menzel

Frederick the Great stands with a flute, surrounded by court members in a warmly lit room adorned with a chandelier.

Frederick the Great Playing the Flute at Sanssouci

Adolph von Menzel

A group of officers in heavy cloaks gathers in a wintry landscape, their faces showing tension and urgency.

Frederick the Great Addresses his Generals before the Battle of Leuthen in

Adolph von Menzel

At the Opera

Adolph von Menzel

An empty room illuminated by sunlight through a gauzy curtain, highlighting polished floorboards and furniture shadows.

The Balcony Room

Adolph von Menzel

A theater scene with actors performing on stage, illuminated by footlights, while an audience watches in anticipation.

The Théâtre du Gymnase

Adolph von Menzel

A grand 19th-century gathering with elegantly dressed figures engaged in conversation under chandeliers.

The Dinner at the Ball

Adolph von Menzel

A bustling scene in the Tuileries Gardens with figures enjoying a Parisian afternoon.

Afternoon in the Tuileries Gardens

Adolph von Menzel

A lively beer garden scene depicting people engaged in conversation and camaraderie.

At the beer garden

Adolph von Menzel

A falcon attacks a pigeon mid-air, wings outstretched against a turbulent sky.

Falcon Attacking a Pigeon

Adolph von Menzel

A dense wall of trees in a garden with glimpses of a palace facade in the background.

The Palace Garden of Prince Albert

Adolph von Menzel

A view of rooftops and pale facades with trees, depicting a quiet urban backlot under muted light.

View of rear buildings

Adolph von Menzel

A quiet artist's sitting room with a window veiled in curtains, a bare table, and warm tones creating an intimate atmosphere.

The Artist's Sitting Room in Ritterstrasse

Adolph von Menzel

A bustling scene of figures engaged in ownership activities amidst bare branches.

Beati Possidentes (Blessed are those who have)

Adolph von Menzel

Two men engaged in a heated discussion, one leaning in with a hand outstretched and a cigar, the other gloved and upright.

Two discussing voters

Adolph von Menzel

Crown Prince Frederick observes the artist Pesne at work on a wooden platform filled with art supplies.

Crown Prince Frederick visits the Artist Pesne on His Painting Platform

Adolph von Menzel

A woman sleeping, her head turned away and hair in a knot, surrounded by warm rust-red fabric.

Menzel's sister Emilie, sleeping

Adolph von Menzel

A muscular laborer in a soot-streaked shirt contrasts with well-dressed visitors in a smoky ironworks.

Besuch im Eisenwalzwerk (Kupferstichkabinett Berlin)

Adolph von Menzel

A chaotic scene illuminated by torchlight, with figures moving purposefully through smoke and darkness.

Student Torchlight Procession

Adolph von Menzel

A quiet gathering of figures around a table, illuminated by soft lamplight, each lost in their own thoughts.

Evening Gathering

Adolph von Menzel

A crowd gathers around a solemn coffin in a square, with figures in both color and sketch-like outlines, evoking themes of mourning.

Laying out the March Dead

Adolph von Menzel

A figure in a heavy red coat sits with his back to us, pressed into the earth, suggesting fatigue or contemplation.

Resting Man

Adolph von Menzel

A man studies a map on a terrace while a woman in a lavender dress ascends steps, surrounded by lush greenery.

Travel plans

Adolph von Menzel

A man yawning in a cramped train compartment, revealing an intimate moment of fatigue during travel.

Gähnender Herr im Eisenbahncoupé

Adolph von Menzel

A crowded scene depicting a coronation ceremony with a figure at the altar gesturing regally amidst a sea of faces.

The Coronation of William I at Königsberg in

Adolph von Menzel

A crowded street scene with flags and a carriage, featuring a uniformed figure amidst animated onlookers.

Departure of King Wilhelm I for the Army, July 31

Adolph von Menzel

A woman in a pink skirt appeals to a man, while three mounted officers approach in the background.

The Petition

Adolph von Menzel

A lively gathering of men in a vaulted cellar, animated in conversation and drink under warm light.

Der Esterházykeller in Wien 1797 Österreichische Galerie Belvedere

Adolph von Menzel

A poised figure in a richly decorated room, deep in thought, with a coat and sash indicating rank.

Adolf Friedrich Erdmann Menzel Friedrich der Große in Sanssouci 2319 Führermuseum

Adolph von Menzel

A painter at work in a cluttered studio, with a man reading and a woman in a dark dress, while a white dog rests on the rug.

Meissonier im Atelier in Poissy

Adolph von Menzel

A young woman holding a candlestick stands at the threshold of a dimly lit room, with another figure seated at a table in shadow.

Living room with the artist's sister

Adolph von Menzel

A stormy sky looms over rolling fields with a horse-drawn cart on a track.

Thunder on mount Tempelhof

Adolph von Menzel

A lively public gathering in a park, featuring women in hats, children, dogs, and a baker with loaves.

Adolf Menzel Feinbäckerei im Kurpark zu Kissingen

Adolph von Menzel

A young woman in a pale ruffled dress and rose shawl stands at a garden path, holding a parasol and reticule.

Clara Ilgner

Adolph von Menzel

A close-up study of a horse's head with a dynamic expression and detailed brushwork.

Horse Study

Adolph von Menzel

A quiet artist's bedroom with morning light filtering through blue curtains, a bed, and a figure at a desk by the window.

The bedroom of the artist in the Ritterstraße

Adolph von Menzel

A bustling 19th-century Italian marketplace filled with people and umbrellas, centered around a fountain.

Piazza d’Erbe in Verona

Adolph von Menzel

Upturned teapot

Adolph von Menzel

A handshake between two commanders on horseback, framed by their horses and a retinue of officers observing the moment.

meeting of Blücher and Wellington

Adolph von Menzel

Carthorse

Adolph von Menzel

A depiction of workers laboring in an iron rolling mill, surrounded by molten metal and heavy machinery.

The Iron Rolling Mill (Modern Cyclopes)

Adolph von Menzel

Two men in a charged encounter, surrounded by officers and courtiers, illuminated by warm light.

The Meeting of Frederick II and Joseph II in Neisse in

Adolph von Menzel

A winter scene depicting snow-covered rooftops and chimneys in Berlin.

Berliner Hinterhäuser im Schnee Adolf Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel (Kunstmuseum Winterthur)

Adolph von Menzel