The Golden Age I 1879

Hans von Marées created this sketch, The Golden Age I, with red chalk. In it, we see a classical scene of nude figures that evokes a sense of harmony and idealised existence. Made in the late 19th century, this artwork reflects a yearning for a lost, simpler time. Von Marées was part of a German artistic movement called the "German-Romans", who went to Italy to find a classical tradition, trying to move away from the industrialisation and social upheaval of their time. The art institutions of the time largely favoured realism, so this was an active rejection. The sketch, in its rawness, suggests a search for purity and truth, shorn of the superficialities of modern life. A historian might explore the writings and biographies of the artist to understand how such counter-cultural ideas were developed and promoted. The appeal of classical themes speaks to a desire for a society different from what was, and perhaps still is.