“The birds of the air and the lilies of the field” (1932) by Gebhard Fugel captures the artist’s ongoing engagement with biblical themes, rendered with clarity and contemplative devotion. Created during an era of great uncertainty in Germany, the painting draws inspiration from Christ’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, using natural imagery to convey spiritual truths about faith and the providence of God. Fugel’s academic realism, gentle palette, and narrative simplicity were intended to resonate with everyday viewers, reinforcing trust in divine care at a time when economic and political turmoil made such reassurance profoundly relevant. The work embodies Fugel’s commitment to making scriptural lessons accessible and emotionally impactful for his contemporaries.
