Romanisches Portal mit Basrelief 

Karl Ballenberger made this pencil drawing entitled "Romanisches Portal mit Basrelief" some time in the 19th century. During this period, Europe saw a surge of interest in historical styles. Ballenberger, working within this revivalist mood, captures a Romanesque portal, likely aiming to preserve and celebrate medieval architecture through art. The choice of a church portal emphasizes the role of religious institutions in shaping social values and community identity. The bas-relief depicts what appears to be a religious scene with figures, underscoring the church's function as a vessel of morality and faith. While Ballenberger meticulously recreates the architectural details, his drawing also tells a story of cultural memory and the longing to reconnect with a past perceived as foundational to European identity. This drawing encourages us to reflect on how we selectively remember and reconstruct history, often reinforcing particular narratives of cultural heritage.