Old Woman Sitting 1882 - 1883

Ladislav Mednyánszky made this pastel drawing, “Old Woman Sitting,” at the turn of the 20th century. It’s a tender portrayal of aging, but also quietly suggests the sitter’s social isolation. Mednyánszky was a Hungarian artist active across a rapidly changing Austro-Hungarian empire. His work often captured the lives of those on the margins, the poor, and the elderly. Consider the social conditions that might have led to the neglect or abandonment of elderly people at this time. The painting may be read as a subtle critique of the social safety nets, or lack thereof, in the rapidly industrializing Europe. To truly appreciate Mednyánszky’s choices in this piece, explore archives. Search records from local charities, poorhouses, and hospitals to contextualize the historical realities of aging and poverty.