Illustratie bij Goethe's Faust 1828

Moritz Retzsch made this illustration to Goethe’s Faust with pen and ink. Here we see a visual interpretation of the famous play, where Faust makes a deal with the devil, trading his soul for knowledge and worldly pleasures. Retzsch depicts the dark, supernatural elements of the story through grotesque imagery and allegorical figures. Made in Germany, this illustration reflects the cultural fascination with Romanticism and the interest in the darker aspects of human nature. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Retzsch appropriates themes of death, temptation, and salvation, drawing on Germany's historical events, religious beliefs, social classes, political movements, or economic structures. To better understand this illustration, we can consult historical texts, literary criticism, and biographical information about Retzsch and Goethe. The meaning of this illustration is contingent on its cultural and institutional context.