Die alte Akademie in Düsseldorf 1831

Andreas Achenbach painted this scene of the old Düsseldorf Academy, but the exact date remains unknown. Achenbach was a key figure in the Düsseldorf school of painting, which emerged in the early 19th century amidst significant social and political change in Germany. The Düsseldorf Academy became a center for artistic innovation, emphasizing landscape and genre painting. Achenbach’s work often reflected the Romantic movement's fascination with nature. The presence of people in this painting also acknowledges the growing importance of the middle class. His work invites us to consider themes of identity and social class within the context of 19th-century Germany. "Art is the voice of the soul," Achenbach once said, and in this painting, he asks us to consider the dialogue between the individual and society. Do you feel Achenbach’s depiction reflects the aspirations and anxieties of a changing world?