Artwork

Imagine realizată prin tehnica desenului și a acuarelei, ce prezintă un bărbat în port orășenesc săsesc din Sibiu. Acesta ține în mână o blană. Acuarela este încadrată într-un chenar negru, realizat pe hârtie cu tuș. Sub imagine, însemnare manuscrisă în limba germană: „Ein sächsischer Burger in Hermannstadt

Imagine realizată prin tehnica desenului și a acuarelei, ce prezintă un bărbat în port orășenesc săsesc din Sibiu. Acesta ține în mână o blană. Acuarela este încadrată într-un chenar negru, realizat pe hârtie cu tuș. Sub imagine, însemnare manuscrisă în limba germană: „Ein sächsischer Burger in Hermannstadt is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the ASTRA National Museum Complex. A faint, pale beige rectangle on cream cardstock, this artifact bears no visible image, only traces of its former contents.

About this work

A small handwritten note in the top right reads numbers, and another in the bottom left says “MCPR 1876” in blue ink.

This is a blank, pale beige rectangle. No image or colors show—just a smooth, empty surface with faint marks in the corners. A small handwritten note in the top right reads numbers, and another in the bottom left says “MCPR 1876” in blue ink.

The paper looks old, with signs of wear around the edges. The frame is a plain black border, and a stamp near the bottom says “Baron Brukenthal’s Museum in Hermannstadt.” Someone wrote German words under the image, mentioning a “Saxon citizen” and “costume pictures.”

Next, look up paper to see how artists used different types in old drawings.

Overview

A faint, pale beige rectangle on cream cardstock, this artifact bears no visible image, only traces of its former contents. The surface shows subtle edge wear and faint corner marks, suggesting handling over time. A black border frames the void, while two stamps and handwritten German inscriptions remain legible, anchoring the object to a documented cultural collection.

Subject & Meaning

The handwritten note identifies the original image as depicting a Saxon burgher from Sibiu in traditional dress, holding a fur. The label ‘Trachtenbilder’ indicates it was part of a systematic record of regional costumes, likely compiled for ethnographic or archival purposes. The absence of the image now leaves only textual evidence of its former subject and intent.

Technique & Style

The work was originally executed in ink and watercolor on paper, mounted on cardstock for stability. The black frame was drawn with ink, and the German inscription was penned in fine script. The medium reflects 19th-century European documentary practices, where precision and clarity were prioritized over artistic flourish.

History & Provenance

Stamped with the Baron Brukenthal Museum in Hermannstadt and dated 4 August 1910, the piece was cataloged within a regional institution dedicated to Transylvanian heritage. Its inventory number, MCPR 1876, confirms its inclusion in a formal collection. The wear suggests institutional use, possibly in exhibitions or educational materials.

Context

In early 20th-century Transylvania, Saxon communities were actively documenting their customs amid shifting political landscapes. This item belonged to a broader effort to preserve regional dress and identity through visual archives. The museum’s involvement reflects a scholarly impulse to classify folk attire as cultural heritage.

Legacy

Though the image is now lost, the surviving inscriptions and stamps preserve its archival purpose. The object stands as a silent testament to the fragility of visual records and the institutional efforts to safeguard cultural memory, even when the original content has faded or been removed.