Vier Mädchen in einem Zimmer 1816 - 1819

Johann Peter Krafft painted "Four Girls in a Room," sometime in the early 19th century. Krafft, who was known for his history paintings, here turns his eye toward the domestic sphere. The painting offers a glimpse into the gendered spaces of the time, where women's lives were often confined to the home. The interior is dimly lit, in contrast to the sunlit world outside the window, where two women are reaching outwards. Two women are inside: one seated and another standing protectively behind her. The women's expressions are difficult to read, but there is a sense of longing, a desire to escape the confines of their domestic lives. While Krafft doesn't critique the social norms of his time, he does capture the emotional and personal dimensions of women's lives in a way that is both intimate and revealing.