The Ruins of Saint Nicolai Church in Hamburg

1871

Martin Gensler

Associated Names
Martin Gensler

Artist, German, 1811 - 1881

The image depicts the interior of a large, dilapidated Gothic cathedral or abbey. The perspective is from within the structure, looking upwards and towards the opposite end. The scene is dominated by towering columns and arches defining the space. Some blue sky is visible through the broken roof. The artwork features detailed brushstrokes showing the architecture, stonework, and rubble on the floor. The color palette includes earthy tones like ochre and brown for the stone, and blue for the sky. Figures in workman's clothing are present, offering scale. The distance shows more arches fading into shadow.

Media Options

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Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Busch Collection, Dortmund. Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich; gift 1990 to NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1991

  • Art for the Nation: Gifts in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1991, 162-163, color repro.

Bibliography

1991

  • Art for the Nation: Gifts in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1991: p.162.

Inscriptions

lower right in brown ink: Vonnalige S. Nicolai kirch / zu hamburg 1842, / im Sommier / Martin Gensler / 1871; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: N 47

Wikidata ID

Q64596735

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