A DINING TERRACE OVERLOOKING THE ANCIENT GERMAN CITY OF HEIDELBERG!
This mural entitled "A View of Heidelberg" transforms our main dining room into a dining terrace overlooking the ancient German city of Heidelberg.It was painted by Kenneth A. Larson, an American artist who lived in New Britain, home of East Side. Requirements for the painting included a classic style, rich and jewel-like colors, and the ability to work around business hours. "A View of Heidelberg," for which the room is dedicated, was chosen.
By mid-February 1989, reconstruction of the wall was complete, and by March East Side closed for fifteen days while painting began. Working with an assistant, Mr. Larson laid the drawing of the mural in violet chalk upon prepared ocher ground. Color was applied in broad brushstrokes. Working as many as eight hours a day the artist and his assistant completed all of the painting within the fifteen day timeframe.
The time of day is late afternoon, perhaps during "Oktoberfest", as the sun sets behind the ancient castle; the terrace diners have just been given steins of good German bier. The antique steins in the mural were painted from pieces located throughout our Heidelberg dining room.
People have asked why the smoke from the buildings is blowing right, and the trees are blowing left. Some have theorized that it is because of the strange winds that are said to blow in Germany. But rumor around the restaurant is that Mr. Larson had one too many Black Russians that day!
Measuring approximately 36 feet in length by 9.5 feet at the ceiling height "A View of Heidelberg" is believed to be the largest, classical oil mural created in central Connecticut in the past 50 years.