Gewand und rechter Arm der Sitzenden aus der _Vorbereitung zum Kostümball_ c. 1879 - 1880

Otto Scholderer made this drawing titled _Gewand und rechter Arm der Sitzenden aus der Vorbereitung zum Kostümball_ in the 19th century in Germany. Here, we see an arm and drapery, a study for a costume ball, an event where identities are fluid and performed. Costume balls allowed a temporary suspension of social norms, offering a space to explore and challenge identities through disguise. The artist makes a study of fabric, while also allowing a glimpse into the performative aspects of identity. Who might the sitter be? What role might they be trying to play? How might it reflect or challenge the social norms of the time? The gesture of the arm holding the fabric hints at the complex relationship between concealment and revelation. The drawing invites us to consider the power of dress and how we use it to craft, negotiate, and sometimes conceal our identities. It’s a reminder of the personal and social implications of how we present ourselves to the world.