106 - M. SAVIGNY (1831–1905), A Glimpse of Nature in the Black Forest, 1856, Pencil

M. SAVIGNY (1831–1905), A Glimpse of Nature in the Black Forest, 1856, Pencil Marie von Savigny (1831, Boitzenburg – 1905): Impression of Nature in the Black Forest, 1856, pencil Technique: Pencil on paper Inscription: Inscribed and dated lower right: “Schwarzwald, August 25, 56.” Date: 1856 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 Center Party, Karl Friedrich von Savigny (1814–1875). As such, she accompanied her husband on diplomatic trips and had to fulfill numerous representative duties and attend social events herself. Looking down from a path in the Black Forest, the artist was able to capture this imposing view in her drawing. As if by chance, the row of trees opens up near the course of a river, revealing a view of a wide valley. Behind dense clusters of trees rise the steep walls of a rocky massif, which is itself covered in trees. Only a small patch of the summer sky is visible in this drawing, as it is pushed far toward the upper edge of the sheet by the high horizon line. Keywords: 19th century, Romanticism, Landscape, Germany, Size: Paper: 18.5 cm x 12.1 cm (7.3 x 4.8 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. Shows signs of wear appropriate for its age, with minimal damage. The sheet is discolored due to its age. The upper right corner of the sheet is slightly creased.