Kampf der Sachsen und Franken 

Editor: Here we have "Kampf der Sachsen und Franken," or "The Battle of Saxons and Franks," a pencil and pen drawing on paper by Wilhelm von Kaulbach. It feels very academic and energetic, with all these figures clashing, though it also feels unfinished because it's a sketch. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: What strikes me is the central cluster, so clearly defined, surrounded by this nebulous, less-defined space. The composition implies memory and mythology. These weren’t just historical battles; they took on symbolic weight, informing German identity, especially in the 19th century when this drawing was made. What does the prominence of the dog at the base of this group tell you? Editor: It makes me think of loyalty and perhaps even savagery? Dogs are often symbols of fidelity. Was this an important battle? Curator: Absolutely. These battles and myths are tied to the idea of German identity formation in the 19th century, an era grappling with nationalism and searching for a unified cultural memory. Kaulbach seems to be reaching back into a primal, legendary past to define who "we" are. Do you recognize anything familiar in its composition? Think in terms of art history. Editor: The dynamic poses and the crowded composition make me think of history paintings like Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, but less polished because of the sketch quality. I hadn't considered the connection to German identity though. Curator: Exactly! Consider the dog, the fierce warriors, the dramatic conflict—all contribute to this sense of forging a national identity through a somewhat romanticized, even violent, past. Editor: So it's not just about the battle itself, but what the battle represented and still represents for people. That connection is what gives it such emotional and psychological depth. Curator: Precisely. This work encapsulates the potent power of images to shape not just how we see history, but also how we understand ourselves.