Burg Katzenstein 

Editor: This is Karl Ballenberger’s "Burg Katzenstein," a pencil, ink, and paper drawing of a castle, likely from the 19th century. I’m immediately struck by its quietness; the castle looms, but in such delicate lines. What stands out to you? Curator: What I see is a potent symbol of power, carefully rendered in a time of immense social upheaval. The romanticization of the medieval, especially in architecture, wasn't just about aesthetics; it was deeply entwined with ideas about national identity, hierarchy, and a yearning for a supposedly simpler past. Consider, who commissioned such works, and what ideologies were they reinforcing through them? Editor: So, even a seemingly simple drawing of a castle can carry a lot of weight? Curator: Precisely! The choice of subject, the very act of depicting this imposing structure with such meticulous detail, reflects a certain reverence for established power structures. Think about the way castles functioned: they were not only defensive structures, but also symbols of feudal authority. Does Ballenberger’s drawing critique or celebrate that authority? Editor: I hadn't considered the political implications. It makes me think about who had access to these spaces, who was excluded, and what the drawing might unintentionally reveal about those social dynamics. Curator: Absolutely. It invites us to critically examine the stories we tell ourselves about history, about progress. What does it mean to look back at the medieval period with such idealized eyes, especially when we consider the era’s inherent inequalities? Whose stories are being centered? Whose are being erased? Editor: It is definitely much more than a nice drawing of an old castle. Thanks for shifting my perspective! Curator: It's a constant dialogue, questioning whose gaze we are adopting, and how that influences our understanding. That's the ongoing project, isn't it?