Wie der Teufel neue Hörner bekam... 1907

Rudolf Gudden made this pencil drawing, "Wie der Teufel neue Hörner bekam..." or "How the Devil Got New Horns..." sometime around 1907. The image gives us insight into the cultural landscape of early 20th century Germany and Gudden's place within it. The drawing depicts an angel creating horns for the devil, a bizarre image that inverts traditional religious narratives. This subversion of religious imagery could be seen as a commentary on the shifting social structures of the time. Germany was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization, which challenged established religious and social norms. To understand this drawing better, we might look into the history of religious art and its role in German society, researching popular beliefs about the Devil, and examining the artist's biography for any clues about his personal views on religion. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.