Who painted Das Erwachen?

Das Erwachen was painted by Johann Conrad Zeller in 1841.

Where can I see Das Erwachen?

Das Erwachen is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

Artwork

Das Erwachen

Das Erwachen is an oil painting by Johann Conrad Zeller. It dates from 1841 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

Johann Conrad Zeller’s oil painting *Das Erwachen*, created around 1841, is part of the collection at the Kunsthaus Zürich. The work presents a half‑length portrait of a dark‑haired woman seated before a dark backdrop, her gaze meeting the viewer and suggesting a moment of introspection.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is shown from the waist up, with her right arm folded across her chest and her hand resting on her left shoulder. The composition emphasizes her thoughtful expression, inviting the audience to contemplate the inner life of the sitter rather than any external narrative.

Technique & Style

Zeller employs smooth, delicate brushwork for the skin, contrasting with more textured strokes that define the hair. Subtle chiaroscuro models the form, creating a sense of volume that draws attention to the face and upper torso while maintaining a subdued atmospheric tone.

History & Provenance

Born in Weinegg in 1807, Zeller worked across several genres, from landscape and historical scenes to anatomical watercolors. *Das Erwachen* entered the Kunsthaus Zürich’s holdings after the museum’s early‑20th‑century acquisitions of Swiss 19th‑century art, reflecting the institution’s focus on national artistic development.

Context

The painting aligns with early‑19th‑century Swiss art, a period when artists often merged narrative elements with local scenery and portraiture. Zeller’s versatility mirrors the broader Swiss tendency to blend genre scenes with detailed observation of the human figure.