Farm workers returning home c. 1881

Otto Scholderer made this sketch of farm workers returning home in Germany sometime in the mid-19th century. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people during a period of significant social and economic change. Scholderer’s sketch captures a sense of the workers' weariness after a long day’s labor. The woman carrying what looks like a woven basket, and the man with his hat tilted back, mopping his brow. Their clothing also speaks to their social class and occupation. During this time, rural communities in Germany still operated under a semi-feudal system where agricultural workers were bound to the land and landowners. Understanding the social and institutional context of this work requires research into the economic conditions of 19th century rural Germany, but helps us to appreciate the social realities that shaped Scholderer’s artistic vision.