ADOLPH VON MENZEL | A STUDY OF A MAN SMOKING AND A MAN LEANING OVER A TABLE, POURING A GLASS OF WINE (A STUDY FOR 'BREAKFAST BREAK')

Mueller-Jacobsch Collection, Amsterdam;

Private Collection, The Netherlands, since 1983

Dr. Marie Riemann-Reyher has, on the basis of photographs, confirmed the attribution to Menzel in written correspondence with the current owner. Dr. Riemann-Reyher points out that this drawing is a preliminary study for a woodcut illustration to an 1877 edition of Heinrich von Kleist's Der Zerbrochne Krug ('The Broken Jug').¹ Von Kleist's comic play, written in 1802-06 and first performed in 1808, is the author's best known work.  

The woodcut for which this lively and characteristic drawing is a study was the first illustration of the tenth of the play's thirteen scenes. Without retelling the entire, and rather complex, story of the play, the narrative revolves around the efforts of the village judge, Adam, to win the affections of young Eve, whose mother is suing someone for damages, over an incident in which her prized jug was broken. Judge Adam, who was of course responsible for the breakage, has to preside over, and also subvert, the progress of this court case. The situation is complicated by the fact that on this particular morning, a court inspector by the name of Walter is monitoring the conduct of village courts. Here, in a scene entitled 'Breakfast Break', we see Judge Adam pouring a liberal glass of wine to give to inspector Walter.

Menzel's annotation at the bottom of the sheet refers to the way he intended to depict the folds in the tablecloth.