Johann Grund (1808-87) painted landscapes, portraits and genre scenes. He studied at the Academy in Vienna, and continued his studies in Paris, Munich, Düsseldorf and Italy. He worked in Vienna, Rome, Karlsruhe and Baden-Baden. Around 1834 he was appointed painter to the court of Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden.

Lichtental in Baden-Baden is known for its Cistercian Abbey which was founded in the thirteenth century. The choir of the abbey church dates from the fourteenth century, while the nave was built in the fifteenth century. The latter houses works of art and furnishings, many of which also date from the fifteenth century when the Abbess Margaret of Baden instigated the refurbishment and decoration of the church interior.

During her widowhood, Queen Victoria’s half-sister, Princess Feodora of Hohenlohe Langenburg (1807-72), lived at Baden Baden in South-West Germany and, as such, was probably acquainted with Lichtenhal, and therefore the convent, which is in the locality. Queen Victoria who inherited Villa Hohenlohe, Princess Feodore’s residence at Baden Baden, only visited on a few occasions before selling the property in 1880.

In this pious scene, five Cistercian nuns are grouped around the Lichtenhal chapel organ, singing from hymn books. A sixth nun accompanies the singers on the organ. The pew in the foreground is draped in a large expanse of red fabric, while a wreath and a bouquet of flowers have been propped against it. On the wall are traditional images of Catholic iconography.