Singers' Contest on the Wartburg

About the 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 bloodthirsty, jealous minstrels in the background.

Inscriptions

Signed, lower left in graphite: Anton Romako

Provenance

Ernst von Vollbehr; Winterberg Kunst, Heidelberg, Germany 2011; C. G. Boerner, NYC

Exhibition history

Themes and Variations: Musical Drawings and Prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 25-May 17, 2015).

Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.

Quick Overview

Artist: Anton Romako (Austrian, 1832–1889)
Date: c. 1853
Medium: graphite
Dimensions: Sheet: 39.4 x 52.8 cm (15 1/2 x 20 13/16 in.)
Type: Drawing
Classification: Drawing
Department: Drawings
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Whitehill Art Purchase Endowment Fund
Accession no.: 2012.55

Open-access museum record · AT-00011613