Peter Schlemihl Chasing His Shadow 1836

Adolf Schrödter created this small engraving, Peter Schlemihl Chasing His Shadow, sometime in the 19th century. In it we see a man sprinting desperately after his shadow, an act framed by an ornate, organic border of vines and leaves. The composition here highlights a tension between reality and representation. The sharply defined figure of Schlemihl and his shadow exist in contrast to the softness of the naturalistic background. The pursuit of a shadow becomes a metaphor for chasing illusions or unattainable goals, the organic border adding a layer of romantic idealism to the scene. This engraving functions as a commentary on human desire and the futile quest for something just beyond grasp, highlighting the divide between the tangible and the illusory. By playing with these visual and symbolic elements, Schrödter invites us to reflect on the nature of our pursuits.