Luise Scholderer, Zeitung lesend 28 - 1888

Curator: At first glance, there’s an understated elegance to this piece. It’s intimate, almost a stolen moment. Editor: Indeed. This is a pencil drawing entitled "Luise Scholderer, Zeitung lesend" made around 1888 by Otto Scholderer. We’re fortunate to have it here at the Städel Museum. It provides a peek into the domestic life of the late 19th century. Curator: The composition is strikingly simple, wouldn't you say? The woman's figure, rendered in a profile view, reclining and engrossed in her newspaper. There's a dynamic use of shadow that guides the eye. Editor: The Realist approach adopted here focuses on representing its subject, Luise, in an objective, unidealized way, contrasting significantly with Romantic ideals prevalent earlier. The emphasis on the everyday elevates a simple act, reading, to a subject worthy of artistic representation. It reflects the era’s increasing interest in the lives of ordinary people. Curator: You can see a distinct concentration in her posture, this private moment juxtaposed against what's implied as larger public events reported in her paper. It makes you consider the role of women's intellectual lives during this period. Editor: Absolutely. And looking closely, you notice that the artist's rendering favors functionality over ornamentation, revealing broader socio-economic and cultural shifts. There’s a lack of pretense. This creates a relatable image, making her thoughts and interpretations feel significant, both then and now. Curator: There's an interesting contrast. Although the setting appears still and contained, the newspaper, as a material item, places her within a specific moment in time. I believe Otto was portraying a sense of intellectual engagement that was less visible in artistic settings beforehand. Editor: Agreed, looking back on it, the power of "Luise Scholderer, Zeitung lesend" goes far beyond it's skillful lines. Curator: I find that this modest drawing, quietly speaks volumes.