The Family Arguing about the Testament of the Deceased, 1776
Series title12 Sheets with the Story of Preacher Gros, from "Sophie's Journey from Memel to Saxony" (Preparatory Drawing 8)
Ink in dark grey and red brown, probably applied with brush, graphite
Sheet dimensions7,6 × 5 cm
About the workThough they are just eight centimetres high, these images seem very vivid. They depict events from the life of the preacher Gros, as chronicled in the novel “Sophiens Reise von Memel nach Sachsen” (Sophie’s Journey from Memel to Saxony) by Johann Timotheus Hermes. Although the work has now been forgotten, it was extremely popular in the 1770s. The pastor’s unhappy love life is a recurring theme alongside his spiritual development. Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki was able to create a stage for the figures in this small format. With the help of the tiled floor, he gives depth to the space in order to arrange figures and objects within it.
AccessionAcquisition 1924
Inventory numberK 1924-347
