Defeat of Wittekind near Bürberg

1835

Graphite and red chalk, with brush and brown wash, on cream laid paper (pieced at top)

55.7 × 66 cm (21.9 × 26 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld became a member of the Nazarene Brotherhood in Rome at an early age and adopted their historicizing linearity and interest in Renaissance artists Raphael and Albrecht Dürer. King Ludwig I of Bavaria, an enthusiastic promoter of German national culture, commissioned Schnorr von Carolsfeld to paint fresco murals of scenes from German history for his royal residence. This monumental study for the Charlemagne room depicts the emperor defeating the Saxon leader Wittekind at Fritzlar near Bürberg, which occurred in the eighth century. Placed before the Bürberg church and flanked by angels, Charlemagne is depicted as the protector and patron of the Christian state.

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