Lot 10 Dα

The church on the market square, the town hall with its pharmacy wing and the hustle and bustle of the weekly market as they appeared to contemporaries around 1830 can be seen in this imposing oil painting of Hanover's city centre. Created in 1834, the veduta shows the architectural diversity around the Marktkirche, with the west gable of the town hall in older, Gothic style and the pharmacy wing as an example of North German timber framed Renaissance architecture. The houses document the prosperity of the early modern town: In addition to the Knochenhaueramtshaus (left), built in 1541, the patrician houses of Holste (1662) and Windheim (1565), bear witness to these families' high social standing. The Hauptsche Haus leans against the tower of the market church and demonstrates how densely built-up the old town was. The graceful figures attending the weekly market enliven the foreground of the work as well as providing an interesting insight into the history of costume. The enamel-like colours, effective lighting and skilful use of perspective, which aims to capture as much of the real architecture in the picture as possible, determine the character of Quaglio's view of Hanover.

One of the painter's friends, Bernhard Hansmann, lived in Hanover and the artist gave him a collection of drawings. If you compare the present work with other views by Domenico Quaglio, this painting stands out for its size alone. It was exhibited at the Munich Art Association in the year of its creation. The association was initiated by Domenico Quaglio and Joseph Stieler in order to provide Munich artists with greater recognition and to promote sales.