Siegfrieds Abschied von Kriemhilde 1812

Peter Cornelius created this drawing, "Siegfried's Farewell to Kriemhild," during the early 19th century, a period defined by a surge in German nationalism and the rise of Romanticism. Cornelius illustrates a pivotal moment from the medieval epic, the Nibelungenlied. We witness Siegfried, the heroic prince, taking leave of his wife, Kriemhild. In the context of 19th-century Germany, the Nibelungenlied was embraced as a foundational national myth, embodying ideals of heroism, loyalty, and Germanic identity. The drawing echoes the era’s fascination with medieval history and folklore, reflecting a nostalgic longing for a perceived golden age of German virtue and strength. Simultaneously, the artist’s delicate rendering and emotional composition adds an element of tenderness to this narrative of warrior culture, highlighting themes of love and sacrifice. Cornelius’s illustration offered his contemporaries an opportunity to reflect on their cultural heritage and the values they wished to embody as a nation. The intimate farewell scene reminds us of the personal sacrifices often demanded in the name of national destiny.