Adalbert Stifter (1805-1868)

Woodcut by Otto Rothaus in a magazine, with reference to the article “Ein jüngstbeschlossenes Dichterleben” [“A recently concluded poet’s life”], 1868 (StadtMuseum Bonn, Inventory No.: SMB 2008/076a)

In 1845, Schumann listed in his reading booklet (Lektürebüchlein) the Studien [Studies] by the Austrian poet, which he found partly very attractive, partly rather poor.Stifter’s Studies, published in several volumes from 1844, contain stories, such as Der Condor [The Condor], Feldblumen [Field Flowers], Das Haidedorf [The Village on the Heath] and Der Hochwald [The High Forest]. Schumann further noted in his diary Die Narrenburg [The Fools’ Castle]. Personal encounters with Stifter took place during Schumann’s stay in Vienna in 1847, which he still mentioned years later in Endenich in a letter to Bettina von Arnim: “I still recall […] Adalbert Stifter’s poetic studies, notably The High Forest and the Fools’ Castle. […] In Vienna, I have seen him several times in company at Mrs von Pereira’s house and in our own flat where I had invited him to a musical morning performance.”

Sigrid Lange (translated by Thomas Henninger)