Adolph Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel (Breslau 1815-1905 Berlin)

As Paul Meyerheim observed, Menzel had 'in his overcoat [...] eight pockets, which were partially filled with sketchbooks, and he could not comprehend that there are artists who make the smallest outings without having a sketchbook in their pocket' (Adolph von Menzel. Erinnerungen, Berlin, 1906, p. 132). If Menzel found himself without a sketchbook, he simply drew on scraps of paper at hand or on his own business cards (see lot 94 for an example). He often dedicated these to his friends and acquaintances as is the case in the present sheet, which appears to show an artist holding a sketchbook and his drawing materials.