Fair in Berchtesgaden

The preparatory drawing for the "Animal Tamer outside the Inn" (Berlin State Museums, Alte Nationalgalerie, inv. no. W. S. 108) – according to Klein’s autobiography (1833), his "largest and most elaborate painting" – differs in several areas. The location of both works is based on the watercolour "View of Berchtesgaden and Watzmann from the North" (Nuremberg Municipal Museums, Graphic Art Collection, inv. no. Norica 00036), painted in 1818 during a trip to Salzburg and showing the north tower of the monastery church before it was struck by lightning in 1819. Here, diverse groups form a crowd of spectators watching exotic animals against the backdrop of the Watzmann. In the centre is a camel with two clothed monkeys on its back, and its tamer. Beside it, a bear dancing to a drum-beat. Also watching are people at the windows of the inn, on horseback or carts, and approaching soldiers. Revellers are dancing in the meadow behind the church.

DUCKE Astrid: Berchtesgaden • Watzmann, in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas (Hrsg./Edited): Stadt ∙ Land ∙ Berg. Salzburg und seine Umgebung. Town ∙ Landscape ∙ Mountain. Salzburg and surroundings. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2022, S./p. 104–105