Medieval figures 

Philipp Winterwerb created this sketch of medieval figures in the 19th century. Winterwerb was working during a time of growing nationalism in Germany and a revival of interest in the medieval past. This drawing gives us a glimpse into how history was reimagined and idealized during the 1800s. We see figures adorned in elaborate costumes that signal wealth and status. Notably, the women are depicted with grace, either kneeling in prayer or playing musical instruments, reinforcing traditional gender roles. The clothing serves as a visual signifier of the social hierarchies of the time. Winterwerb offers us not just a historical record, but a carefully constructed vision of an era, loaded with cultural values and norms. The delicate lines of the sketch evoke a sense of nostalgia, inviting us to reflect on our relationship to the past and the stories we choose to tell ourselves about it.