Lot 2524 Dα

With an old label describing the frame commission on the decorative surround, signed by Schwind. Two old labels on the back of the card: “Privatbesitz […] / Frau Professor Helene v. Ravenstein / Karlsruhe i. B. / Bismarckstr. 19” and “Moritz v. Schwind: / ‚König Winter' / Eigentum der Familie / Prof. v. Ravenstein, Karlsruhe”.

The present work is a painted version of a motif which Moritz von Schwind devised as an illustration to Hermann Rollett's series of poems “Der Winter”. The seven drawings were first published in the “Fliegende Blätter” (vol. 6, Munich 1847, no. 124, p. 25-29) and shortly after again in the “Münchener Bilderbogen” (no. 5, Munich 1848). The motif of the present work formed the close of the series, all based around the theme of winter personified as a bearded old man. This last motif depicts him handing “the first snowdrop” to the personification of spring, a baby in a crib, as a symbol of the changing seasons. The work remained continuously in the ownership of the von Schwind family and is still in the possession of his descendants to this day.