Eduard von Grützner (German, 1846–1925), The Catastrophe, 1892. Oil on canvas, 27 1/2 × 34 in. (69.85 × 86.36 cm). Milwaukee Art Museum, Gift of the René von Schleinitz Foundation. M1962.92. Photo: John R. Glembin.
In this painting, two monks in the winery of a monastery reflect on spilled wine. The monk in the foreground has slipped down the stairs and looks dejectedly at the broken bottles of wine, while at the top of the stairs, his companion scratches his head. Eduard von Grützner's portrayal of monks, caught in a lighter moment of their lives, is an example of his genre scenes that achieved wide popularity throughout his career. While this painting is witty, as are many of his depictions of monks, Grützner, a Roman Catholic, had no wish to offend either the Church or German citizens.
Permanent collection label, 2001. Written by Laurie Winters, Curator of Earlier European Art.
