Artwork
Sah er ungehalten aus? (What, look’d he frowningly?)
Sah er ungehalten aus? (What, look’d he frowningly?) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1778, *Sah er ungehalten aus?
About this work
Overview
Created in 1778, *Sah er ungehalten aus?* is an etching on laid paper by the Berlin‑based artist Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. The work presents a small group of three figures positioned before a building, each rendered with distinct costume details that hint at social status and occupation.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, whose face is deliberately softened, places a hand on the chest while the surrounding characters—one in an elaborate hat and fan, the other in a military‑style cap with a cane—observe him. A caption beneath the scene asks, “Sah er ungehalten aus?” or “Did he look angry?”, inviting viewers to consider the emotional undercurrents of the encounter.
Technique & Style
Chodowiecki employed the traditional etching process, incising lines into a copper plate and printing them onto laid paper, which gives the image a fine, linear clarity. The contrast between sharply defined attire and the blurred facial features demonstrates his skill in balancing detail with narrative ambiguity.
History & Provenance
Born of Huguenot and Polish ancestry, Chodowiecki spent his career in Berlin and later directed the Berlin Academy of Art. While primarily known for his prolific output of prints, this 1778 work exemplifies his engagement with contemporary social scenes during the late eighteenth century.
Context
The print reflects the Enlightenment‑era fascination with everyday moments and the subtle expression of feeling. By depicting ordinary figures in a public setting, Chodowiecki aligns with the period’s interest in genre scenes that comment on human behavior and social interaction.
Artist & collection
Artist
Daniel Niklaus Chodowiecki (16 October 1726 – 7 February 1801) was a German painter and printmaker of Huguenot and Polish ancestry, who is most famous as an etcher.
