Magdalena von Lenbach mit Töchtern Erika und Marion 1895

Franz von Lenbach painted "Magdalena von Lenbach with daughters Erika and Marion" during a time when traditional family values were idealized. Lenbach, a prominent portraitist, often depicted members of his own social circle, reinforcing the era's emphasis on domesticity and lineage. This painting provides a glimpse into the intimate world of bourgeois motherhood, yet we might wonder about the experience of Magdalena herself, a woman whose identity is largely defined by her roles as wife and mother. The gaze of the older daughter, Erika, carries a weight of expectation, reflecting the pressure on young girls to embrace their future roles within the family structure. Lenbach captures a tender moment, but also subtly reinforces the societal norms that confined women to the domestic sphere. It invites us to consider how the expectations of gender, class, and family shaped both the creation and reception of this image.