Scene from Wieland's "Oberon" c. 18th century

Editor: This is Johann Gottfried Schumann's "Scene from Wieland's 'Oberon'," a print depicting a dramatic landscape. It feels very staged to me. What can you tell me about the context of this image? Curator: Consider the popularity of Wieland's "Oberon" in the late 18th century. It became a powerful cultural touchstone, shaping understandings of the romantic and the fantastic. How might this image reflect the expectations of its viewers regarding stagecraft and social values? Editor: So, it's less about realistic depiction and more about reinforcing a shared cultural narrative? Curator: Precisely. The "natural" setting is a constructed image that served to evoke specific emotional and intellectual responses related to the story, reflecting its societal impact. Editor: That's fascinating. I never thought about it that way. Curator: Examining art's role in shaping cultural narratives really deepens our understanding of its significance, doesn't it?