Gretchen in Church (OP10) by Anonymous - Aberystwyth University School of Art Museums and Galleries

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's (1749-1832) 'Faust' is a long poem written in two parts over a period of fifty seven years and based loosely on Marlowe's 'Dr. Faustus'. This painting probably illustrates a scene from Part I, first published in 1808, where Gretchen (Margaret) attends the funeral of her mother (whom she murdered along with her baby). Part II was published in 1832

Dramatic cathedral interior featuring Gretchen (Margaret) from Goethe's 'Faust'; foreground, on the right, three figures including Gretchen tormented by an evil spirit?, in the centre, mourning figures some of whom kneel on the ground, on the left, figures kneeling on steps; middleground, on the left, a cleric standing in a pulpit and a statue, in the centre, a congregation in a nave the latter with high columns supporting a vaulted roof and tower; background, front of the cathedral with three arch windows and shafts of light. Painted with broad brushstrokes with some impasto for highlights. Cracks in the canvas lining lower right, upper left and lower left. Small curved scratch centre right

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Gretchen in Church