Gothic crab 

Karl Ballenberger made this drawing of a 'Gothic Crab' with graphite. In nineteenth-century Germany, the Gothic style was seen to embody values that were threatened by new trends in art. This image is a study of Gothic ornament, a motif in architecture, furniture and design that references the medieval period and the values associated with the pre-Renaissance era. At this time, an interest in Gothic style was closely linked to German nationalism. The Gothic style was imagined to be a pure, German style in contrast to the classical styles associated with the Mediterranean. Here in Frankfurt, the Städel Museum was founded in the early 19th century and played a crucial role in promoting German art, including art inspired by the Gothic period. Historians consult archival materials, publications from the era, and period writings, to understand the significance of the Gothic revival. Only then can we understand the role of this drawing as an expression of cultural and national values.