Thiersch, Ludwig (1825-1909), Roma

Ludwig Thiersch(1825 Munich - 1909 Munich). Roma. Watercolour mounted on cardboard, 42 x 28,5 cm, inscribed on the backing as "Roma" and signed in his own hand "Thiersch".
- with tiny brown spot

- The melancholy of Roma -

In the context of the formation of national iconographies in the 19th century, the personification of Rome, with her black hair and classical Roman profile, is at the same time an allegory of Italy, just as the brunette Marianne stands for France and the blonde Germania for Germany.
The 'Roma-Italia' stands high above the 'Eternal City' on a flight of steps reminiscent of the bases of ancient temples. The amphora, symbol of river gods and spring nymphs, is empty, the fertilising, life-giving element has dried up. Rome has sunk into the veil of dusk, while the allegory of the city is illuminated for the last time, glowing in warm yellow and red tones, so that the ideal beauty of her body is visible on her legs through the veil-like cloth. But the naive youthfulness reborn with the Renaissance has given way to melancholy. The figure of the woman, absorbed in herself and at the same time looking like a seer, seems to be meditating on the dried-up spring. Thiersch thus created a profound pictorial résumé of the German artists' longing for Italy.

About the artist

Ludwig Thiersch first studied sculpture with Ludwig Schwanthaler at the Munich Academy, before turning to painting as a pupil of Heinrich Maria von Hess, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld and Karl Schorn. Thiersch then stayed in Rome. In 1852 he travelled to Athens with his father Friedrich, where he painted frescoes in the Byzantine church of St Nicodemus. In 1856 he was called to Vienna to fresco the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity.

Selected Bibliography

Stephan-Kaissis, Christine: Bayern und Byzanz. Zum romantischen Byzantinismus deutscher Künstler im 19. Jahrhundert. In: Mitteilungen zur spätantiken Archäologie und byzantinischen Kunstgeschichte 3/2002, S. 125-163.

Schade, Heidemarie: Ludwig Thiersch 1825 - 1909. Ölstudien und Zeichnungen eines Spätnazareners. Ausstellung des Suermondt-Ludwig-Museums vom 30. Sept. bis 18. Nov. 1979, Aachener Kunstblätter, Sonderband 7.

Ausskat.: Ludwig Thiersch (1825-1909). Studienblätter, Entwürfe, Vorstudien. Ausstellung im Rathaus Kelkheim/Taunus vom 26.2.-13.3.1983, Kelkheim 1983.