Singers' Contest on the Wartburg
Medium
graphite
Dimensions
39.4 × 52.8 cm
Classification
Drawing
Department
Drawings
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Whitehill Art Purchase Endowment Fund
Accession Number
2012.55
Tags
male
About this artwork
The story of the Sängerkrieg (minstrel contest) originated from German folklore of the 13th century. According to the legend, six minstrels entered a competition in order to determine who best understood how to sing the praises of a prince. The victory of Heinrich von Ofterdingen enraged the other minstrels who contrived to have him executed. Romako depicted the dramatic moment when the young, beautiful Heinrich appeals to Countess Sophia and gains a reprieve, much to the chagrin of the bloodthi...