Who painted Familienbild, am Spinett?

Familienbild, am Spinett was painted by Heinrich Freudweiler in 1785.

Where can I see Familienbild, am Spinett?

Familienbild, am Spinett is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

Artwork

Familienbild, am Spinett

Familienbild, am Spinett is an oil painting by Heinrich Freudweiler. It dates from 1785 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

Heinrich Freudweiler, a Swiss painter born in Zurich in 1755, executed the work *Familienbild, am Spinett* circa 1785. Rendered on a copper support, the piece is part of the Kunsthaus Zürich collection. It presents an intimate domestic interior centred on a musical instrument.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows three family members and a dog gathered around a spinet. A man in a red coat and black hat sits, a young girl in a yellow dress holds a music book, and a woman in a green dress watches from the background. The composition suggests a shared musical activity and familial cohesion.

Technique & Style

Freudweiler employed chiaroscuro to model figures against the dark walls and floor, creating depth on the reflective copper surface. The contrast of light on the figures and the subdued background enhances the three‑dimensional effect typical of late‑Baroque genre painting.

History & Provenance

After training in Düsseldorf and Mannheim and later encounters with artists in Dresden and Berlin, Freudweiler returned to Zurich in 1785, where he remained active until his death in 1795. The painting entered the Kunsthaus Zürich collection, where it is displayed today.

Context

Created during the artist’s mature period, the work reflects the Enlightenment‑era interest in domestic virtue and music as a moralizing pastime. The copper medium, uncommon for genre scenes, allowed for fine detail and a luminous surface that suited Freudweiler’s precise handling of light and texture.