Portretten van drie mensen uit de haven van Livorno

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This etching by Ludwig Emil Grimm, dated August 2, 1816, captures three figures from the bustling port of Livorno, Italy. Created during a period when many Northern European artists traveled to the Mediterranean for inspiration, the small print (just 144 by 143 mm) reflects the early 19th-century fascination with everyday life in foreign harbors. Grimm, brother of the renowned fairy-tale collectors Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, was skilled in both painting and printmaking, often documenting his travels with keen observation. Executed in the etching medium, the work showcases the technique’s ability to render fine lines and subtle textures, allowing Grimm to convey the individuality of his subjects with remarkable economy. Such prints were popular among collectors for their portability and detail, serving as both artistic records and souvenirs of journeys abroad. A collector’s stamp on the reverse (Lugt 2228) further hints at the print’s journey through private collections, underscoring its enduring appeal as a modest yet evocative glimpse into early Romantic-era travel and portraiture.

About the Artist

Ludwig Emil Grimm · 1790–1863

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