Grützner Monks & Priests Museum Drink Coasters – Humorous Wine Art Set of 4

Museum Drink Coasters Featuring Grützner’s Humorous Monk & Priest Paintings

Add warmth, charm, and a splash of humor to your table with these museum drink coasters inspired by the playful wine-themed paintings of Eduard von Grützner. Known for his expressive faces, glowing colors, and jovial storytelling, Grützner captured monks and priests enjoying their wine with an honesty that feels both endearing and delightfully mischievous.

Each coaster in this four-piece set highlights a different scene of clergy admiring a fine glass of wine, inspecting its color, savoring its aroma, or simply delighting in a quiet moment of indulgence. These images bring a friendly sparkle to gatherings, dinner parties, tasting nights, and cozy evenings at home. They belong to the Parastone Museum Gift Collection, a European-designed line that transforms historical masterpieces into beautiful, functional home décor. 

Made of smooth printed glass with artwork protected beneath the surface, each coaster wipes clean easily and includes four rubber feet to keep it stable on your table. The set measures 3⅞ inches wide and ⅛ inch thick, weighs about 1.2 lbs, and comes with a sleek black metal storage rack. You can explore more designs in our Museum Drink Coasters & Coffee Mugs Collection if you’d like to expand your tabletop set.

The World of Grützner’s Wine-Loving Monks

Eduard von Grützner (1846–1925) was celebrated for his humorous genre paintings, especially his jovial monks who ponder, savor, and sometimes overindulge in wine. His work glows with rich browns, deep reds, and candlelit warmth, giving each figure a sense of personality—from serious tasters to merry celebrants.

The humor in Grützner’s paintings does not mock religious life but instead reflects the humanity and simple pleasures enjoyed in monastic settings. Many monasteries throughout Europe operated vineyards, orchards, and farmlands as part of their daily rhythm. These agricultural activities provided income, supported parish needs, and created goods—such as wine—that could be sold or used in religious ceremonies.

This historical context makes Grützner’s paintings even more charming. His scenes honor the tradition of abbeys producing wine while playfully showing monks taking understandable delight in the fruits of their own labor.

Product Features

• Set of four museum drink coasters featuring humorous paintings by Eduard von Grützner.
• The Grützner coasters show different scenes of monks or priests admiring fine wine.
• Printed glass surface with artwork sealed underneath for durability.
• Four rubber feet on each coaster to protect your furniture and prevent slipping.
• Includes a black metal storage rack for tidy display.
• Size: 3⅞" × 3⅞" × ⅛". Weight: approx. 1.2 lbs.

Materials & Care

• Material: Printed tempered glass with rubber feet.
• Rack: Powder-coated metal stand.
• Use: Ideal for hot or cold beverages.
• Care: Wipe gently with a soft cloth; avoid abrasive cleaners.

For More Reading from the Web

• France Today – “Monks and Nuns Making Wine in France” (history of monastic wine-making)
• Eduard von Grützner on Wikipedia – biography and overview of his paintings

About the Artist: Eduard von Grützner

Eduard von Grützner was born in Prussia and later studied in Munich, where his talent for expressive character paintings quickly became recognized. His warm sense of humor and gentle approach to religious subjects made him one of Germany’s most beloved 19th-century genre painters.

Grützner’s focus on monastic life reflects both a fascination with tradition and a desire to capture simple, joyful human moments. His detailed rendering, glowing lighting, and playful narratives continue to charm collectors around the world.