Entwurf zum Bild Kaiser Maximilians I. im Frankfurter Römer 

Alfred Rethel sketched this draft for a portrait of Kaiser Maximilian I sometime in the mid-19th century, presumably on paper, as a study for a larger painting in Frankfurt. Rethel lived through a period of intense nationalism in Germany, and his work often reflected a romanticized view of German history. This sketch, with its focus on a powerful, armored ruler, speaks to the desire for a strong, unified German identity. Yet, we must also consider the complexities of such portrayals. Who gets included and excluded in these visions of national identity? What narratives are being reinforced, and what stories are being suppressed? By focusing on Maximilian, Rethel evokes a specific kind of masculinity – one of strength, authority, and military prowess. But what does this say about other forms of masculinity, or about the roles of women in shaping history and culture? It's a potent image.