Essay on Stone with Brush and Scraper: Woman Reading at the Fireside

Adolph von Menzel

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image depicts a woman sitting in a chair reading. The woman is positioned on the left side of the image, sitting in an ornate chair with her body angled to the right. She has short, curly hair and is wearing a long dress with a low neckline; the dress appears to have a full skirt. Her right elbow rests on her knee and she holds a book in her right hand. To the right of the woman is another ornate chair, empty and facing away from her. Behind this chair is a fireplace with an ornate mantel. On top of the mantel are two candelabras with multiple lit candles. The walls surrounding the fireplace are adorned with ornate carvings and molding. The room appears dark, with light coming from the candles. The image is rendered in shades of gray, suggesting it may be an engraving or etching.