Ruine Drachenfels c. 19th century

Editor: This is Johann Adolf Lasinsky's "Ruine Drachenfels", currently at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a very detailed drawing, almost architectural in its precision. What's your interpretation of this landscape? Curator: This work evokes ideas of romantic nationalism and the sublime. The ruined castle atop the dramatic cliffs speaks to the decline of feudal power. Consider how it might have functioned as commentary on the political landscape. What stories do you think this ruin tells? Editor: It makes me think about the passage of time and how nature reclaims everything. Curator: Exactly. And whose stories are centered in these romantic portrayals? Exploring the absence of certain narratives is just as important as what’s depicted. Editor: I never thought about it that way, thanks! Curator: It highlights the complexities of history and representation.