Adolph von Menzel

Carl Anton von Maercker, Berlin and Halberstadt (father of the sitter, by 1848; von Maercker (1803-71) was the director of Berlin's Criminal Court and, following the popular uprising of March 1848, stood 'in front of the Anhalt Gate as Commandant of the Guard' (people's militia); he was appointed minister of justice in the short-lived cabinet of Rudolf von Auerswald, tasked with responding to popular unrest which was seen as a threat to the monarchy)
Private collection, Germany
Sale: Villa Grisebach, Berlin, 27 November 2009, lot 3
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Berlin, Königliche National-Galerie, Ausstellung von Werken Adolph von Menzels, 1905, III. Edition, no. 283
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Adolph Menzel: radikal real, 2008, no. 24, illustrated in the catalogue

Georg Jacob Wolf, Adolf von Menzel. Der Maler deutschen Wesens. 149 Gemälde und Handzeichnungen des Meisters, Munich, 1915, p. 92, illustrated
Der Blumenkorb: deutsche Maler 1800 bis 1870, Königstein im Taunus / Leipzig, 1921, p. 46, illustrated
Gisold Lammel, Adolph Menzel und seine Kreise, Dresden, 1993, p. 46
Hugo von Tschudi, Adolph von Menzel. Abbildungen seiner Gemälde und Studien, Munich, 1905
Martin Moeller & Cie, Adolph Menzel, Meister der Zeichnung, Hamburg, 2013, n. p., illustrated

The artist's sheet is hinged to the mount at its back along the upper corners. The paper is somewhat sunned and presents very few spots of foxing. However, colours are strong and this work is otherwise in good condition and ready to hang. Presented glazed, in a gilt frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1845, the Menzel and Maercker families were neighbours at 18 Schöneberger Strasse in Berlin and, after the Menzels moved to 43 Ritterstrasse in 1847, they stayed in touch. We know this from three watercolours of the Maercker children, of which this is one.