The Goose Girl 19 - 1898

Otto Scholderer sketched "The Goose Girl" here at the Städel Museum with graphite on paper. The composition is divided into two distinct zones: the main scene featuring a young woman surrounded by geese, rendered with detailed precision; and peripheral sketches which explore alternative poses. The treatment of light and shadow accentuates the depth of the forest backdrop, contrasting with the girl’s lit figure, drawing our attention to her. The lines of the girl’s dress are soft, emphasizing the figure’s gentle demeanor. The geese, depicted with angular strokes, introduce a dynamic contrast. The use of graphic elements underscores a play between defined narrative and the fluidity of form, suggesting a deeper engagement with themes of nature and idealized beauty. This tension between the static and the fluid invites a reconsideration of how traditional subjects can be approached through innovative compositional strategies.