In the meantime, Menzel had also begun to study, unaided, the art of painting, and he soon produced a great number and variety of pictures. His paintings consistently demonstrated keen observation and honest workmanship in subjects dealing with the life and achievements of Frederick the Great, and scenes of everyday life, such as "In the Tuileries", "The Ball Supper", and "At Confession". Among those considered most important of these works are "Iron Rolling Mill" (1872–1875) and "The Market-place at Verona". When invited to paint "The Coronation of William I at Koenigsberg", he produced an exact representation of the ceremony without regard to the traditions of official painting.