Adolph Menzel 1885

Karl Stauffer-Bern made this drawing of Adolph Menzel in 1885 using graphite on paper. The portrait provides a glimpse into the cultural and artistic circles of late 19th-century Europe. Menzel, a prominent German artist, is depicted in profile, his features rendered with meticulous detail. Stauffer-Bern, a Swiss artist, captures not only Menzel's physical likeness but also hints at his intellectual persona. The artwork reflects the importance of portraiture in asserting the status of cultural figures. The inscription suggests that this portrait was made on Wednesday, November 11th, between 11 am and 1 pm in the atelier of A. Menzel, emphasizing the institutional context of art production. The additional phrase "from A. Menzel" suggests a collaborative element, hinting at the complex social dynamics within artistic communities. Understanding this drawing requires attention to the social networks and institutions that shaped artistic careers. By examining letters, exhibition catalogs, and other primary sources, we can reconstruct the world in which Stauffer-Bern and Menzel operated, deepening our appreciation for the cultural significance of this portrait.