Goethe-House

Larger Northern Side Room

The portrait of the grandfather is flanked by two flower pieces by the Frankfurt painter Justus Juncker. Goethe’s father collected paintings by Juncker, who would also execute a floral still life in the Dutch style. Johann Wolfgang assisted the painter by bringing in flowers and small creatures as models for a picture. “On one occasion I also caught a mouse and brought it to him. He took delight in depicting such a dainty little creature, and painted it in great detail gnawing on an ear of grain at the foot of the flowerpot.” Since the artist was not entirely satisfied with the first painting, he made a second.