Gezicht op Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre en Haut-Koenigsbourg before 1894

Charles Bernhoeft made this print, “Gezicht op Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre en Haut-Koenigsbourg,” during an era defined by rising nationalistic sentiments in Europe. Bernhoeft's choice to capture the Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre and Haut-Koenigsbourg is itself a statement. These castles, with their imposing presence, evoke a sense of historical legacy and territorial claim. Situated in the Alsace region, control over these castles symbolized power struggles between France and Germany. The emotional weight of the region's identity as a contested space is palpable in the image, despite the serene landscape. Through his lens, Bernhoeft presents a view that is both romantic and fraught with the tensions of his time. He invites us to reflect on the intricate ways in which land, power, and identity are intertwined.