The Bride of Corinth 

This is Bernhard Neher the Younger's pencil sketch, "The Bride of Corinth," now housed in the Städel Museum. Neher was working in the mid-19th century, a time when artists were grappling with Neoclassicism and Romanticism, often turning to historical and mythical subjects. In this sketch, Neher explores the intersection of love, death, and ancient belief through the lens of a tragic tale. The story of the Bride of Corinth reflects a societal tension between pagan traditions and emerging Christian values, with its themes of forbidden love. We see how Neher renders the scene with a focus on emotional intensity, characteristic of Romanticism. He uses the ethereal quality of the sketch to hint at the supernatural elements, particularly in the ghostly bride. The drawing invites us to consider the complex interplay between personal desires and the social and religious norms of the time, and how these themes continue to resonate with our understanding of identity and belonging.