The ruins of Liechtenstein near Mödling

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a really cool painting today! It's called "The Ruins of Liechtenstein near Mödling." Can anyone say that name? Great job! nn

This painting is super old! It was made a long, long time ago, in 1848, by an artist named Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. He was from Austria, a country in Europe. He was really good at painting things exactly as they looked – like taking a super detailed photograph! nn

Look at this painting! See the road? It's a dirt road, winding through the countryside. What color is the road? Yes, it's mostly brown and orangey! And what do you see growing on either side of the road? That's right, lots and lots of green trees! These are big, strong oak trees. They've been there for a very long time. nn

See that building in the distance, kind of hidden behind the trees? That's the ruins of an old castle called Liechtenstein Castle. It's old and broken down, but it's still beautiful, isn't it? What do you think happened to the castle? Maybe it got old and fell apart? nn

Look at the sky. What color is it? It's a pale blue, right? And there are a few fluffy clouds. It looks like a nice, sunny day, doesn't it? Do you think it's a warm day or a cool day? How can you tell from the painting? nn

See that tiny little person walking on the road? Can you spot them? They're so small! It helps us understand how big the trees and the castle are. It shows us how big and amazing nature is! nn

This painting isn't just pretty to look at. It tells us a story about time. The castle is old and falling apart, but the trees and the land are still strong and beautiful. It shows us that some things last a long time, and some things change. What do you think will happen to the trees in many, many years? nn

This painting is a really special treasure. We're lucky to have it here in the museum for everyone to see! Do you have any questions about the painting? I'd love to hear your thoughts! nn