Stadsplein met de Kaiser Warth te Goslar Possibly 1867 - 1868

Jan Striening created this pencil drawing of the town square with the Kaiserworth in Goslar. Striening made this drawing during a period of burgeoning nationalism in Germany. Architectural drawings like this one played a crucial role in constructing a shared German identity through the preservation and idealization of historical sites. Notice how Striening meticulously captures the architectural details of the Kaiserworth, a building laden with imperial symbolism. The Kaiserworth’s imposing facade is rendered with careful precision and emphasizes its grandeur and historical significance. Striening uses light and shadow to create depth and texture, drawing the viewer's eye to the building's intricate carvings and sculptural elements. Consider how this emphasis on architectural heritage intersects with the political and cultural climate of 19th-century Germany. While it evokes nostalgia for a glorious past, it also reminds us how national identity is so often built upon carefully curated images of history.