Weiblicher sitzender Akt nach links, den linken Arm erhoben (Hebe, die Rechte wie zum Ausschank gesenkt, die Linke wie zur Erhebung der Weinschale_) c. 1860

Victor Müller made this pencil drawing of a female nude, titled "Weiblicher sitzender Akt nach links," sometime in the mid-19th century. The sketch draws upon a long tradition of representing the female nude in European art. Here, Müller makes reference to the figure of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth, who served nectar and ambrosia to the gods. The pose is deliberately classical but rendered in the soft, unfinished style associated with academic figure studies of the period. Made in Germany, this drawing reflects a growing interest in classical themes during the 19th century, as well as the changing role of women in society. Was Müller challenging or reinforcing traditional notions of female beauty and domesticity? To answer these questions, scholars consider a wide range of visual and written sources. Ultimately, the interpretation of this artwork depends on understanding its historical context.