Rübezahl 1872

"Rübezahl" is a watercolor made by Adrian Ludwig Richter, who lived during a time of growing national sentiment in Germany. Richter was a prominent figure in the Nazarene movement, which sought to revive spiritual and honest art. This image depicts a scene from German folklore. Rübezahl, a mountain spirit of the Giant Mountains, gestures commandingly toward a group of refugees. The figures here embody the romantic ideals of the era, but consider them in the context of a rising national identity. How do folklore and romanticism interact with notions of belonging and exclusion? Richter’s work offers a glimpse into the cultural and political sentiments of his time, reflecting both an idealized vision of community and a sense of longing for a simpler, more authentic way of life. It invites us to consider the complex relationship between art, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are.