Consists of seven sketchbooks in watercolor, pencil, and pen and ink kept by Krimmel between 1809 and 1821. The chronology of dates within a book reveals that Krimmel generally used pages in a sequential order, and that the surviving sketchbooks are only part of those once in existence. Many of the drawings are signed. The first volume has 44 pages and includes mountain, river, and wooded landscape sketches; country scenes; harbor and port scenes; sketches of a town by a river, a boat on a river, and a ferry carrying animals; depictions of children; and figural and animal sketches. Dated examples are from 1813 and 1815. The second volume has 70 pages with dated examples from 1817 and 1818. It includes mountain, river, valley, and wooded landscape sketches that are primarily European; village scenes and buildings; a ship sailing on an ocean; and a sketch of a European interior. Figural sketches show women at market, spinning, and serving and men drinking and playing dominoes. There are also animal and flower sketches and a series of German names. The third sketchbook consists of 82 pages, with one page cut out and four blank pages. Depictions are of mountain, river, and wooded landscapes, primarily European; figural studies; marine views; sketches of household utensils; costume studies; and animal and flower sketches. Dated examples are from 1817 and 1818. Volume four contains 48 pages with dated examples from 1810, 1811, and 1812. Included are landscapes, primarily American; figural studies; sketches for finished paintings; animal sketches; and anatomical studies. The fifth sketchbook dates from 1819 and has 46 pages with four blank pages. Illustrations are of river and wooded landscapes; trees; harbor scenes; buildings; flower and plant sketches; figural sketches of women in classic dress and women ironing; and sketches of household utensils, kitchen equipment, animals, a fire engine, Christ on the cross, and the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms. Volume six also dates from 1819 and contains 36 pages. It includes landscapes, sketches of trees, flowers, plants, and foliage; barn and barnyard sketches; street scenes; buildings; tents among trees; figural sketches; and sketches of household utensils, kitchen equipment, and animals. The final volume, ca. 1813, of 24 pages consists of studies for three of Krimmel's paintings: "A Country Wedding," "News of Peace," and "Return from Market." Also included are figural and sketches and depictions of groups in various settings-- a courtroom, an artists' studio, a ship's cabin, and playing musical instruments. Two Christmas scenes are also included.
