Zwei Köpfe zum _Sängerkrieg_ c. 1846

Moritz von Schwind created this drawing, _Zwei Köpfe zum Sängerkrieg_, as a study for a larger composition. Von Schwind, working in the 19th century, was deeply involved in the revival of interest in German folklore and medieval legends, particularly those that spoke to German identity. In this light, the drawing offers a glimpse into how cultural memory and romantic nationalism intertwined. We see two lightly sketched heads, one of a man and one of a woman. Their soft features evoke a sense of nostalgia, but also, perhaps, hint at the gendered roles within these nationalistic narratives. The male figure, positioned above, suggests a certain dominance. While the woman below, though delicately rendered, is also passively placed in the composition. The unfinished nature of the sketch draws us into the artist’s process, making us consider the emotional weight of these figures as he imagined them embodying Germany’s mythical past. It reminds us that national identity is constructed.