Kong Ludwig af Bayern og djævlen 1783 - 1867

Here we see Peter Cornelius's drawing "Kong Ludwig af Bayern og djævlen" created with graphite on paper. The drawing is dominated by two figures: King Ludwig and the devil. The devil is adorned with caricaturist features such as large ears, and a long nose. He holds a staff topped with a skull. This can be read as an allegory of power and corruption, a Faustian bargain where the allure of earthly power blinds one to the sinister nature of the deal. The devil offers the King a way out. The composition invites us to consider how the King's desires and decisions might lead to his downfall, trapped within the confines of the picture frame. Cornelius uses line and form to create a sense of moral and social commentary. These lines, seemingly simple, weave a complex narrative, inviting us to contemplate the dark undercurrents of human ambition and the price of power.