Saint Elisabeth 1834

Editor: This is Christian Ernst Stölzel's Saint Elisabeth. I’m struck by how many people are depicted and their supplicating gestures. What can you tell me about its public role? Curator: The image of Saint Elisabeth was often used to reinforce ideas about charity and social order. How do you think this print might have functioned within institutions of power at the time? Editor: Maybe it was used to encourage the wealthy to be more charitable and to legitimize the existing social structure. It's fascinating how art can be used to shape public opinion. Curator: Exactly. And considering Stölzel’s lifetime, the early 19th century saw significant shifts in how societies viewed poverty and welfare. The image does more than simply depict a saint; it participates in a larger conversation about societal responsibilities.