"The struggle of the German people in the year 1848, gave rise to this composition. Germania, the Goddess of Germany, sleeping on a bear's skin, is awakened by Justice, accompanied by Liberty, (the latter represented by a young girl,) when, with her right hand she grasps the sword, and with her left lays hold of the imperial crown, chasing away the demons of despotism and discord. Mr. Schadow, the director of the Dusseldorf Academy, considers this painting to be one of the most masterly productions of this school, and does not believe that there exists an artist in Europe, capable of reaching the grand and noble style of painting of the old Venetian masters so thoroughly, as Koehler has done in this work. It was only just finished, when Mr. B. purchased it, and during the fortnight that it was exhibited at the Academy of Dusseldorf, it obtained general admiration." [P. 13; exhibited under heading: "new additions.]
Catalogue of a Private Collection of Paintings and Original Drawings by Artists of the Dusseldorf Academy of Fine Arts. New York: George F. Nesbitt, Printer, cor. Wall and Water Streets. 1850.
