What stories could this plaque tell us about Anton von Werner? This Gedenktafel honors Anton von Werner. He was a significant German painter.
Anton von Werner was born in Frankfurt an der Oder in 1843. He died in Berlin in 1915. Anton von Werner was a very active and influential German artist.
Anton von Werner’s paintings often depicted historical events. One of his most famous works is “The Proclamation of the German Empire.” This painting exists in several versions. Each version reflects different political perspectives.
Anton von Werner was present at the proclamation in Versailles in 1871. He captured this historical moment in his art. The paintings show the event and evolve with the wishes of clients.
The first painting, created in 1877, was commissioned for the Berlin City Palace. It was displayed in the White Hall. This hall was used for important public events.
In 1882, William I commissioned Anton von Werner to create another version. This one was for the Hall of Fame of the Prussian Army. It was located in Berlin’s Zeughaus.
A third painting was created in 1885. The Hohenzollern family gave it to Bismarck for his 70th birthday. This version was based on the Zeughaus model.
In 1913, Anton von Werner created a fourth painting. It was a wall painting for a school in Frankfurt an der Oder. Sadly, this painting was lost after 1945.
The different versions of “The Proclamation of the German Empire” show interesting details. For example, Bismarck’s clothing varies. In some paintings, he wears a white parade uniform. This puts him in the viewer’s focus. However, he actually wore a blue gun coat at Versailles.
The second painting shows participants as they appeared around 1882. They appear aged by about ten years. This reflects their increased importance over time.
Anton von Werner adapted his paintings to meet the desires of his clients. This makes them valuable historical documents. The paintings offer insight into Prussian politics.
This Gedenktafel reminds us of Anton von Werner’s legacy. He captured history on canvas. His work continues to spark discussion and reflection. Anton von Werner remains a notable figure in German art history.