Dorothea met een groep reizigers uit Goethe's Hermann und Dorothea c. 1864

Johann Leonhard Raab created this engraving, "Dorothea met een groep reizigers uit Goethe's Hermann und Dorothea," inspired by Goethe's epic poem. Raab positions Dorothea, an emblem of kindness and resilience, amidst a group of displaced travelers, likely refugees fleeing the turmoil of the French Revolution. The image encapsulates the intersection of personal compassion and broader historical upheaval. Raab's choice to depict this scene invites reflection on the era's social fabric, marked by displacement, uncertainty, and the urgent need for human connection. Dorothea's poised stance amidst the chaos subtly challenges traditional gender roles by highlighting her strength and nurturing spirit, while also prompting consideration of the experiences of women during periods of conflict and migration. The depiction subtly questions the period's societal norms. The print underscores the human capacity to extend empathy and support to those uprooted by circumstances beyond their control.