Köpfchen zur Einfassung der Veitschen Freskobilder im Städelschen Kunstinstitut 

Eugen Eduard Schäffer made this drawing, Köpfchen zur Einfassung der Veitschen Freskobilder im Städelschen Kunstinstitut, with pen in the 19th century. It depicts portrait medallions of Donatello and Luca della Robbia. The drawing relates to the frescoes of Philipp Veit who headed the Städel Museum in Frankfurt from 1830 to 1843. Veit chose artists of the Italian Renaissance as exemplars for his students. Schäffer's drawings are studies for a larger decorative program, one that sought to instill within young German artists a sense of national pride based on the artistic achievements of the Italian Renaissance. The Städel Museum’s institutional history is therefore closely linked to German nationalism and the desire to establish a distinctive artistic identity. The drawing provides insight into the role of art institutions in shaping cultural values and national identity. By researching the Städel Museum's archives and Veit's writings, we can better understand the social and cultural context in which this drawing was created.