Objekt 2407
Grossbasel bank of the Rhine
Description
The view shows the river bank of Grossbasel (the left bank), as seen from
the Rhine bridge, half of which still rested on wooden columns at the time.
Yet the bridge was not deserted; usually, lively traffic held sway. The ‘White
House’ and the ‘Blue House’, built in the 18th century by the silk manufacturers
Lucas and Jacob Sarasin, dominate this view to the present day.
The university stood since its foundation on the right-hand side below
these palaces, until it was accorded a new building in 1939. On the hill, the
St. Martin’s Church sits as if enthroned. The Rhine Gate was demolished
in 1839–40, and with it the Lällenkönig disappeared from the townscape. In
this painting it is indistinctly visible to the left of the clock.
Object description
View of Grossbasel with the Rheintor
unknown artist
probably Basel, c. 1830
oil on canvas
donated by Ruth Fricker-Eckert, Basel
Inv. 1980.26.