Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (1797–1871) | Harz Mountains Homeland

The low mountain range of the Harz was subject to various dominions during the lifetime of Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (1797–1871). Depending on the location, after 1815 the various regions were ruled by either the Hanover kingdom, the duchy of Brunswick, or Prussia. The rivalries between the territories and the varying economical structures within a comparatively small area prompted difficulties for trade and commerce. The strongly regulated customs system for example made the selling and acquisition of goods on the “other side” of a territorial dominion extremely difficult, thus limiting the action radius for Harz residents significantly. A circumstance of grave existential consequence – which also affected Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg.

Visual artists and writers however found much inspiration in the Harz mountains. The great romantics Caspar David Friedrich (1774–1840), Ludwig Richter (1803–1884), Joseph von Eichendorff (1788–1857) and Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) drew from the impressions garnered from trips through the region which they afterwards processed in their works. The mountains, caves and woods of the Harz afforded much room for many a tale, from the still celebrated Walpurgisnacht to the Rosstrappe through to the Devil’s Wall. As a cultural source of inspiration, the Harz may have thus also continuously inspired Heinrich Engelhard.