Modern hall 

Ludwig Daniel Philipp Schmidt made this watercolor and pencil work depicting a ‘Modern Hall.’ This highly ornate interior presents us with a particular vision of modernity that was available only to the elite. The architecture and furniture evoke earlier periods, but the abundance of ornament, the play of light, and the theatrical arrangement point to the 19th century. Made in Germany, at a time when the country was experiencing rapid industrialization and social change, this kind of hall would have been the stage for displays of wealth and power. The hall is defined by its architectural features, such as high ceilings and large windows, and its furnishings, including elaborate chandeliers, heavy curtains, and gilded furniture. Historians look to resources such as letters, inventories, and social registers to reconstruct the lives lived within these spaces. By examining these traces, we can learn how art and architecture were used to reinforce social hierarchies and cultural values.