Kirchgang im Frühling 1863

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller made this painting, Kirchgang im Frühling, with oil on canvas. Waldmüller was a master of illusion, using layers of transparent glazes to build up both color and texture. The women’s traditional clothing – likely made of linen or wool – is lovingly rendered, their hand-stitched details speak volumes about the labour-intensive processes of textile production in the pre-industrial era. The artist pays careful attention to the materiality of the landscape around the figures, from the rough texture of the bark on the trees to the delicate petals of the wildflowers. Waldmüller’s virtuosity highlights the social context of the people he depicts. The contrast between the time and effort required to make the fabrics of their clothes, and the simplicity of the scene, raises questions about labor, class, and the relationship between humans and nature. The way in which he brought craft into fine art, emphasizes the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of Waldmüller’s work.