Vier Schwarzwälder Bauernmädchen c. 1771 - 1772

"Vier Schwarzwälder Bauernmädchen" (Four Black Forest Peasant Girls) is a watercolor painting by Georg Melchior Kraus. Created around 1771-1772, the piece depicts four young women, likely from the Black Forest region of Germany, standing and sitting in a simple, rural setting. Kraus captures the details of their traditional clothing and hairstyles with a refined touch, highlighting the simple beauty of everyday life. The painting's intimate scale and subtle use of color give the impression of a fleeting moment observed by the artist. Today, the artwork resides in the Städel Museum, a testament to the enduring legacy of Kraus's skillful portrayals of everyday life.