Sun King Anointing a Bound Couple, from August von Kotzebue's Die Sonnenjungfrau 1810 - 1883

Franz von Hauslab the Younger's "Sun King Anointing a Bound Couple" is a black and white illustration from August von Kotzebue's play, "Die Sonnenjungfrau." The scene depicts a king, illuminated by a bright sun, performing a ritual anointing on a bound couple while surrounded by other figures. The dramatic composition and use of light and shadow create a sense of suspense and mystery, characteristic of 19th-century Romanticism. This drawing, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, reveals Hauslab's talent for capturing theatrical scenes with precision and emotion.