In einer Laube bringt ein Mädchen einem Mann ein Glas Wein, auf dem Tische liegt eine Rose 1784

C. F. Selke’s artwork at the Städel Museum presents us with an intimate scene of a girl offering a glass of wine to a man in an arbor. The composition is structured by a strong contrast between the bright, open sky visible through the arbor, and the more enclosed, shadowed space where the figures are placed. Notice the interplay of light and shadow across the scene. The artist uses light to highlight the girl's face and the wine glass, drawing our eyes to these focal points. Yet, the man remains partially in shadow, which affects how we understand the narrative. The rose on the table serves as a sign, juxtaposing beauty and transience. Consider how Selke uses color and form to convey deeper meanings. The act of offering wine and the presence of the rose can be interpreted as a commentary on themes of love, temptation, and the fleeting nature of pleasure. The spatial dynamics and symbolic elements work together to engage viewers in a reflection on human relationships and moral choices.