Lohengrin’s Abschied 1876

Editor: This is "Lohengrin's Abschied," or "Lohengrin's Farewell," a print made in 1876 by Wilhelm von Kaulbach. It's very theatrical, a scene filled with longing. The knight in armor looks like he’s about to leave, and the woman is desperately trying to stop him. What narratives do you see at play here? Curator: The departure itself isn't the entire story; it's the breaking of a promise. Lohengrin leaves because Elsa, his wife, violates the condition of their marriage: she asks him his name and origin. This piece reflects 19th-century anxieties around trust, gender roles, and the consequences of forbidden knowledge. Where does power reside in this composition, and who loses it? Editor: I guess Elsa loses power because she couldn't resist her curiosity. Her lack of trust is what ultimately drives Lohengrin away. Do you think Kaulbach is taking a position on the question of a woman’s role in society? Curator: Absolutely. It speaks to the constraints placed on women and the distrust they faced. Her curiosity is framed as a transgression. The imagery of the swan, associated with purity and magic, juxtaposed with Elsa’s 'betrayal,' highlights the complex intersection of societal expectations, gender, and power during that period. Where does Wagner's opera, based on this legend, enter the conversation for you? Editor: The opera emphasizes the romanticism of the story. I guess the image tones down some of the fantasy. What resonates most is the raw human emotion being presented. Curator: Precisely! It becomes an allegory for broader societal constraints. It encourages us to investigate not just the surface narrative, but the hidden currents of gender and authority at play in 19th-century society and continuing to reverberate through art. Editor: That makes me think differently about what I initially perceived as purely a romantic scene! It seems charged with questions about power dynamics. Curator: Exactly. Art becomes a mirror reflecting our past and challenging our present.