"Dinner at the Ball" captures a moment in time during the high point of peace and prosperity in the German Empire. It was 7 years after the German unification of 1871 and was the era of Kaiser Wilhelm I and his Chancellor Bismarck, who created a booming economy and a foreign policy that produced 43… Continue reading “Dinner at the Ball” captures a moment in time during the high point of peace and prosperity in the German Empire
My message with this image is that today's Germans should remember and honor the history of East Prussia. This relatively small part of old Germany, the easternmost part of Germany once mentioned in the national anthem, played an oversized role in history. But the descendants of these East Prussians are now dispersed all over the… Continue reading If the East Prussian moose antler symbol could speak it would say: Germany, forget me not!
1871...Crown Prince Friedrich with his father Kaiser Wilhelm I at Versailles Palace As the Crown Prince of Prussia, Friedrich was popular with the British royal family and in return he was fond of them and their more liberal policies. It makes me wonder what would have happened in 1914 if Friedrich had lived to be… Continue reading The story of Kaiser Friedrich III is a tale that ended sadly in 1888, “The year of three Emperors”
Jörg Rugen, master of ceremonies at Jousting Tournaments https://www.redbubble.com/people/edsimoneit/works/40594795-bavarian-herald-landshuter-hochzeit-1475?p=canvas-print&ref=similar_products The wand held by Jörg Rugen was an important tool, used by Heralds to gain attention and make grand gestures. His tabard with the white-and-blue lozenges design, was originally the coat of arms of the Counts of Bogen, adopted in 1247 by the House of Wittelsbach, rulers… Continue reading Heralds were the MC’s at Tournaments and experts in military matters, diplomacy, coats of arms and genealogy
This image of Conrad Weiser is from a vintage cigar box and portrays Weiser along with his home in Reading, an old Pennsylvania crest, a scene with Indians and the coat of arms of the Duchy of Württemberg in Germany where he was born and raised. Conrad Weiser image from a vintage cigar box From… Continue reading Living with Mohawk Indians in America was only one adventure in the life of this German-American
Current map of Germany with Berlin at eastern border On a map the German Empire in 1871, you can see that Berlin was once located in the center of Germany. The location of Berlin within German borders is the most glaring difference between old and modern Germany. When you look at a modern map, you… Continue reading When you look at a modern map, you see Berlin is oddly situated right next to the eastern border. It doesn’t seem right
This incredibly ornate Bavarian-made Statuette of St George was commissioned in 1586 and completed 11 years later in 1597. The materials used to create the 20 inch tall statuette Include gold, enamel, silver-gilt, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opals, agate, chalcedony, rock crystal and other precious stones and pearls The statuette was made to house a relic… Continue reading This incredibly ornate statuette is an example of German Goldsmith Art, circa 1586
Caspar Friedrich’s "Lebensstufen", a painting from the German Romantic Era of the early 19th century, representing our various Life Stages by the distances of ships on the vast sea of life. Once again Friedrich uses the so-called Rückenfigur …a prominently placed figure shown entirely from the back … which is a commentary on the Romantic… Continue reading Caspar Friedrich’s “Lebensstufen”…stages of life
This night time scene was painted in 1869 by Albert Bierstadt, a German artist who was drawn to the American frontier as were many other Germans in the 19th century. The painting shows a group of Oregon bound pioneers and captures the romance of the American West. Its a glimpse of the pioneers at a… Continue reading Albert Bierstadt and other talented German artists sought to capture the romance of the west
"Stiefelappell" (Boot Inspection Rollcall).. by Carl Röchling . A nostalgic image that encapsulates the calm peace time era that was brought about by Bismarck after 1871. The painter Carl Röchling accomplished this by depicting a beautiful sunny day in 1890, showing us the quaint old German half timber barracks used by the soldiers and casually… Continue reading The German Empire had 4 armies: those of Prussia, Bavaria, Württemberg, and Saxony…and each had their own uniforms, insignias and mottos.
