111 - M. SAVIGNY (1831-1905), The Siebengebirge mountains with Drachenfels Castle, 1858, Watercolor

M. SAVIGNY (1831-1905), The Siebengebirge mountains with Drachenfels Castle, 1858, Watercolor Marie von Savigny (1831 Boitzenburg - 1905 ): View from the Siebengebirge with Drachenfels Castle to the Rhine valley at the Rolandsbogen arch, 1858, Watercolor Technique: Watercolor over Pencil on Paper Inscription: Partly unrecognisable inscribed and dated "v.d. [...] 58" lower left Date: 1858 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. Here, the artist looks down on the picturesque Rhine Valley almost like a bird in flight and devotes herself entirely to emphasising the Drachenfels with its old castle ruins and the remains of Rolandseck Castle, which can be seen on the other side of the valley. The so-called Rolandsbogen, whose silhouette stands out against the faded slopes of the Rhine valley, is almost the only remnant of this hilltop castle, which once formed an impressive pair with Drachenfels Castle. Together with Wolkenburg Castle in the Siebengebirge, the three neighbouring fortresses served to secure the southern borders of the Cologne archbishopric. Keywords: 19th century, Romanticism, Landscape, Germany, Size: Paper: 11,7 cm x 18,0 cm (4,6 x 7,1 in) Condition: Rather good condition. In age-appropriate condition with minimal signs of wear. The paper is slightly discoloured. Minor lightening can be seen in the corners.