Romanticism and Historicism - longing for the past

In painting, the second half of the 19th century was characterized above all by a return to the past. Numerous painters turned their attention to historical events, but themes from mythology, the Bible and literature were also popular.

Painting at the time was dominated by the two major schools of painting, the academies in Düsseldorf and Munich. The artists trained there were united above all by their orientation towards the painting style of the old masters.

Numerous paintings come from the estates of Mainz citizens who later donated their collections to the city gallery in their home town.