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Artwork

Golden Wedding

Hubert Salentin , 1857

Golden Wedding, by Hubert Salentin, oil, 1857
Golden Wedding, by Hubert Salentin, oil, 1857

Golden Wedding is an oil painting by the Realist artist Hubert Salentin. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1857 by Johann Hubert Salentin, *Golden Wedding* is an oil painting that captures a festive outdoor gathering. The composition centers on a group of figures in traditional attire, some holding ornamental wreaths, while a violinist provides music. A distant tree and mountain range frame the scene, situating the celebration within a rural landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a communal celebration, likely a wedding anniversary marked by the custom of a “golden” ceremony. Participants are shown in regional dress, emphasizing local customs and the social importance of shared festivity. The inclusion of musical performance and decorative wreaths underscores themes of harmony, continuity, and communal joy.

Technique & Style

Salentin employs a realist approach, rendering figures and surroundings with precise outlines and clear, saturated colors. The oil medium allows for smooth transitions between light and shadow, enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the figures and the depth of the landscape. Attention to detail in clothing and accessories reflects the artist’s observational practice.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in 19th‑century German art and the Düsseldorf school, of which Salentin was a notable member.

Context

Salentin, associated with the Düsseldorf school, was known for sentimental depictions of West German rural life. *Golden Wedding* aligns with his typical subject matter, focusing on everyday events rendered with careful observation. The piece exemplifies the realist tendency of the mid‑19th century to elevate ordinary social rituals to subjects of artistic merit.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Hubert Salentin

Artist

Hubert Salentin

Johann Hubert Salentin (born 15 January 1822, Zülpich; died 7 July 1910, Düsseldorf) was a German painter, associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Hermitage Museum. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.