The Garret II

Different from the older gentleman in the previous painting, the young man here does not seem to be all that interested in the plants of his window box for they do not look much cared for. Instead, his eyes are fixed on the young woman who is sitting in the dormer across the way, busy with some needlework. He is dressed in Biedermeier fashion. He has folded up the sleeves of his jacket, and put the quill behind his ear. Perhaps he needed a break and a breath of fresh summer air, perhaps he came to see the young woman. A bird in a cage is with him, too. Spitzweg again painted an everyday scene in a remote corner of the old city of Munich, a scene depicting an unfulfilled—or unfulfillable—desire. The interpretation of the image is guided by the birdcage. He is alone and confined in his room; both the young man and the bird have the same posture.