Luise Scholderer, ein Buch lesend, Detail der Hand 10 - 1871

Otto Scholderer made this pencil drawing, "Luise Scholderer, ein Buch lesend, Detail der Hand," on August 10, 1871. The study of hands holding a book gives us insight into 19th-century German culture, where literacy and leisurely reading were becoming more widespread, particularly among the middle and upper classes. The act of reading, once confined to the clergy and aristocracy, reflects changing social norms. The very existence of such a drawing, focusing on a domestic scene, suggests a shift in artistic focus toward everyday life and the rising importance of the individual experience. To understand this work better, one might research the history of literacy in 19th-century Germany, the role of women in reading culture, and the rise of Realism in art. By examining these social and cultural contexts, we can better appreciate the meaning of this intimate sketch and how Scholderer challenged or reinforced existing social norms.