_July_. Design for a Ceiling Painting for the Café Bauer (6 parts) c. 1884

This design for a ceiling painting by German artist Hans Thoma, titled "_July_," is a preparatory sketch for a six-part mural for the Café Bauer. Created around 1884, this drawing showcases Thoma’s artistic style with its whimsical imagery and delicate lines. The artwork features a series of panels depicting cherubic figures in a variety of playful scenes, like riding grasshoppers and flying amongst butterflies. The overall composition evokes a sense of summertime lightness and joy, characteristic of Thoma’s work, which often focused on themes of nature and childhood. This design, now housed at the Städel Museum, offers insight into Thoma's creative process and provides a glimpse into the decorative style of late 19th-century German art.