South West View of Salem, N.C.

Moravian artist Gustavus Grunewald created three images of Salem during his visit in October 1839.  Grunewald had studied at the Dresden Art Academy in Germany under Casper David Friedrich, one of Germany’s leading romantic painters. In contrast to the work of Salem-born painter Daniel Welfare, Grunewald’s work reflects a deeper understanding of perspective.  Grunewald’s view is the first known image to include the Salem Cotton Manufactory (on the left), which was built in 1836 on the outskirts of town.