Luise Scholderer sleeping c. 1897

Otto Scholderer created this pencil drawing of his wife, Luise Scholderer, while she was sleeping. It was made in January 1897. Consider the era in which Scholderer lived and worked. Throughout the 19th century, the roles of women were often confined to the domestic sphere. This intimate portrait captures a quiet, private moment. It offers a tender glimpse into the artist’s personal life and domestic space. The choice to depict his wife asleep introduces an interesting dynamic. It invites us to contemplate her vulnerability and his gaze. During this period, many women were denied agency and were often objectified in art. Scholderer, however, seems to approach his subject with a gentler hand. He immortalizes her in a state of serene repose, seemingly unburdened by the expectations placed upon women in that era. This artwork encapsulates the beauty and complexity of human relationships, inviting us to reflect on the intimate moments that define our lives.