Frau mit Schirm aus der _Vorbereitung zum Kostümball_ c. 1879 - 1880

Otto Scholderer made this pencil drawing, "Frau mit Schirm aus der Vorbereitung zum Kostümball," which translates to "Woman with Umbrella from the Costume Ball Preparation," likely in Germany sometime in the mid-19th century. The sketch gives us a peek behind the scenes, not at the glamorous ball itself, but at the more intimate moment of getting ready. The woman's robe and the umbrella suggest an orientalist theme, a popular trend in European costume balls during this period. Such orientalism speaks to the West's fascination with, and often misrepresentation of, Asian cultures. We can study costume designs, fashion plates, and accounts of social events from the period to better understand the cultural significance of these costume balls and the meanings they held for those who participated. By examining these historical contexts, we can better understand how this drawing reflects and shapes the social and cultural norms of its time.