Act 1, Scene 1 from Götz van Berlichingen 1805

This pen and ink drawing by Franz Pforr, titled “Act 1, Scene 1 from Götz van Berlichingen,” depicts a scene from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play, “Götz von Berlichingen.” Pforr's drawing, completed in 1805, captures a moment of dialogue between the titular character Götz and his fellow knights, with a dog and other objects adding to the scene's context. The image is a captivating example of Pforr's early Romantic style, characterized by its detailed linework and expressive figures. This drawing, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, provides a glimpse into the artistic and literary landscape of early 19th-century Germany.