Beethoven-Haus, Bonn, Bonngasse, Geburtszimmer vor der Restaurierung 1889 - Zeichnung von Reiner Beißel, Bonn, 1889

Reiner Beißel's drawing of the room in which Beethoven was born was done in 1889, as was his drawing of the whole house, before alteration work started on Beethoven's birthplace. It shows the room in the state it was in, when the building was acquired and renovated by the founders of the Beethoven-Haus Society. According to reports by the occupants of the house from the early nineteenth century, Beethoven is said to have been born in this room. Although the house later fell into disrepair, the room in which he was born was always held in great respect and shown to visitors. The damage to the floor can clearly be seen, which was caused by visitors taking pieces of wood from the floorboards as souvenirs.(S.B.)