Vor einem Haus drei Kinder bei einer alten Frau 

Johann Friedrich Morgenstern created this watercolor scene, "Vor einem Haus drei Kinder bei einer alten Frau," sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Morgenstern has used delicate washes of pigment to create a sense of light and atmosphere. The visible brushstrokes reveal his process, a patient layering of translucent color. The texture of the paper itself contributes to the softness of the image, absorbing the watercolor in subtle ways. The scene depicts a vignette of rural life, with a windmill in the background perhaps providing employment for the family. The woman's woven basket, the simple wooden construction of the house, and the children's plain clothing all speak to the realities of labor and everyday life. Morgenstern has imbued the scene with a sense of gentle dignity, honoring the work and simple pleasures of the community. Looking closely at the materials and their manipulation allows us to appreciate the artistic skill, and also consider the wider social context.