Küche mit Herd, Regal und Mauerbogen c. 1880 - 1881

Wilhelm Busch made this pencil drawing titled "Küche mit Herd, Regal und Mauerbogen" - or "Kitchen with Stove, Shelf, and Arched Wall" - sometime in the 19th century. Busch is best known as a caricaturist, humorist, poet, illustrator, and painter. Here, Busch gives us a rare look inside a domestic space. The image creates meaning through its unadorned realism, depicting the stark reality of 19th-century German domestic life. The kitchen, with its simple stove, shelves, and arched wall, speaks volumes about the social conditions and economic structures of the time. The drawing seems to critique the traditional roles assigned to women and the working class, offering a glimpse into their daily lives. As historians, we can delve deeper into understanding this artwork by researching the domestic life, gender roles, and class structures prevalent in 19th-century Germany. This drawing then becomes more than just an image, but a social commentary.