The civil wedding 1887

Albrecht Anker's 1887 painting, "The Civil Wedding," captures the solemnity of a civil marriage ceremony in a rural setting. The scene is set in a simple room, likely a town hall or courthouse, with a table at the center where the couple is signing the marriage register. The bride, dressed in black and white, stands beside the groom, who sits at the table with a witness. The painting's focus on realism and detail is characteristic of Anker's style, known for his depictions of everyday life in Switzerland. The inclusion of onlookers, including family members and townsfolk, adds to the feeling of community and the importance of the event. Anker's work, like this piece, offers a glimpse into 19th-century Swiss society and the changing social dynamics of the time.