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 toward the Rhine Valley at the Rolandsbogen Arch, 1858, Watercolor Technique: Watercolor over pencil on paper Inscription: Partially illegible inscription and date “v.d. [...] 58” in the lower left corner 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 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. Here, the artist looks down on the picturesque Rhine Valley almost as if from a bird’s-eye view and focuses entirely on highlighting the Drachenfels with its ancient 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 neighboring fortresses served to secure the southern borders of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Keywords: 19th century, Romanticism, Landscape, Germany, Size: Paper: 11.7 cm x 18.0 cm (4.6 x 7.1 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. Shows signs of age with minimal wear. The paper is slightly discolored. Minor lightening is visible in the corners.