Die Mühle bei Eschersheim im Mondschein 1805

Anton Radl painted "The Mill at Eschersheim in Moonlight" in the late 18th or early 19th century, a time when artists across Europe were captivated by the beauty and drama of the natural world. This serene scene, currently housed in the Städel Museum, depicts a watermill bathed in soft moonlight. Radl's choice of subject reflects a growing interest in rural life. This was a time when the industrial revolution was beginning to transform European society. The painting hints to a romantic vision of nature as a refuge from the rapid changes occurring in cities. To understand Radl's work, one can use the resources found in Frankfurt's municipal archives, which provide information about the local economy and the lives of ordinary people at the time. Ultimately, art is a product of its time, reflecting the hopes, fears, and values of the society that produced it.