105 - M. SAVIGNY (1831-1905), An old watermill on the edge of the wood, Watercolor

M. SAVIGNY (1831-1905), An old watermill on the edge of the wood, Watercolor Marie von Savigny (1831 Boitzenburg - 1905 ): Old watermill on the edge of the forest, 19th century, Watercolor Technique: Watercolor on Paper Date: 19th century Description: Freda Sophie Karoline Marie von Savigny, née Countess von Arnim (1831 Boitzenburg - 1905) is known to us as the wife of the Prussian envoy and co-founder of the Centre Party, Karl Friedrich von Savigny (1814-1875). As such, she accompanied her husband on diplomatic trips and had to take on numerous representative duties and attend social events herself. It is possible that the artist found this picturesque motif in the Black Forest during her stay of several years in Baden in the middle of the 19th century. A mill with a large waterwheel and a small mill pond, which certainly looked antiquated even at that time, stands in a clearing in the forest. The horizon is bordered by conifers, which form a multi-layered wall with an astonishing depth effect thanks to clever splashes of colour in pale and dark grey. The small mill building ducks under a gnarled old oak tree and is bathed in summer sunshine. It is difficult to tell whether the mill was still in operation at this time. At the moment Marie von Savigny drew the picture, there seems to be peace and quiet, perhaps a Sunday stillness or simply midday on a hot summer's day. Keywords: 19th century, Romanticism, Landscape, Germany, Size: Paper: 22,0 cm x 39,5 cm (8,7 x 15,6 in) Condition: Rather good condition. In age-appropriate condition with minimal signs of wear. The sheet is discoloured due to age. Occasional pale foxing spots are recognisable. The sheet edges are damaged in places by creases and bumps as well as individual short marginal tears. The lower edge is uncut.