The Great Frieze 1848

Wilhelm von Kaulbach created 'The Great Frieze' as a sketch in preparation for the Neues Museum in Berlin. The drawing has a monochrome palette of sepia tones, constructed using delicate lines and subtle gradations that evoke a sense of depth. The composition unfolds as a horizontal procession of figures, each rendered with meticulous detail. This arrangement is influenced by classical friezes, where figures line up along a plane and where each character appears to interact within a larger allegorical or historical narrative. Kaulbach's choice to employ this format may reflect the aspiration to imbue the new museum with a sense of historical continuity and artistic legitimacy. In this work, Kaulbach uses linear perspective and balanced composition to convey ideas about historical progress and cultural heritage. The drawing can be seen not only as an artwork, but as a cultural artifact that invites an ongoing re-interpretation of its formal qualities within the broader context of artistic expression.