#18301 Max Klinger (1857-1920)

The drawing presents a group of figures gathered around a banner, rendered in a monochrome style suggestive of etching or lithography. The composition is vertically oriented and dominated by the central text on the banner itself: XIIIe CONGRÈS DE LASSOCIATION LITTERAIRE ET ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONALE À DRESDÉ BANQUET. This inscription immediately establishes the context as a congress, specifically the thirteenth gathering of an international literary and artistic association held in Dresden, culminating in a banquet.
The figures surrounding the banner are depicted with varying degrees of detail and expressiveness. To the left stands a figure shrouded in what appears to be clerical garb, their face largely obscured by shadow. Their posture suggests observation rather than active participation. A younger woman, positioned centrally, gazes upwards towards the banner with an expression that is difficult to definitively interpret – it could convey admiration, curiosity, or perhaps even mild skepticism. To her right stands a figure whose features are exaggerated and caricatured; their face is gaunt, eyes wide, and mouth twisted into a grimace. This individual’s appearance introduces a note of satire or critique.
Above the banner, an elaborate arrangement of foliage – leaves, vines, and blossoms – obscures the upper portion of the scene. The density of this botanical motif creates a visual barrier, potentially symbolizing concealment or obfuscation. It could be interpreted as representing the complexities or hidden agendas underlying the ostensibly celebratory event.
The drawing’s subtexts appear to revolve around themes of intellectual gatherings, international collaboration, and perhaps, a veiled critique of such events. The exaggerated features of one figure suggest a satirical commentary on the individuals involved in the association or the nature of artistic and literary circles. The obscured face of the clerical figure hints at an underlying tension or questioning of authority. Ultimately, the drawing seems to offer a nuanced perspective on a formal occasion, suggesting that appearances may not always reflect reality.