Zigeunerfamilie Am Planwagen 

Otto Mueller created "Zigeunerfamilie Am Planwagen," or "Gypsy Family by Covered Wagon," using distemper and crayon. Mueller belonged to the artist group Die Brücke, a collective that was deeply interested in primitivism. This interest drew them to those living on the margins of society, like the Sinti and Roma people. Mueller’s work offers a glimpse into the lives of a Romani family, a group that has faced centuries of discrimination and persecution. Here we have a quiet scene of generational living, full of intimacy, and a sense of belonging. While Die Brücke sought authenticity in the Romani lifestyle, there's a tension between genuine interest and the exoticization of other cultures. Nonetheless, the piece serves as a historical document, capturing a moment in the lives of a people often overlooked. Ultimately, Mueller asks us to consider our own perceptions and biases when looking at those whose lives are different from our own.