Portrait of a Young Woman 1898

Emma Heerdt made this red chalk drawing, titled *Portrait of a Young Woman,* in 1898. It speaks to shifts in the German art world and the changing status of women artists at the end of the nineteenth century. Heerdt came of age in an era where artistic training was becoming more accessible to women, although still largely separate from the established academies dominated by men. This drawing embodies a sense of quiet intimacy, a departure from the grand historical or mythological scenes often favored by the art establishment. Heerdt’s choice of subject—a simple, direct portrait of a contemporary woman—suggests a focus on everyday life, possibly reflecting the growing interest in realism and naturalism among artists of her time. To fully appreciate Heerdt's contribution, we can consult exhibition catalogs, period journals, and biographical dictionaries that document the careers of women artists in Germany. By doing so, we contextualize the artwork, understanding its place in the broader social and institutional landscape of its time.