Bust of a Young Peasant Girl in a Plaid Jacket c. 1875 - 1877

Wilhelm Leibl made this print of a young peasant girl in a plaid jacket using etching techniques. Leibl lived and worked in Germany during a time of rapid industrialization. Many artists at the time explored Realism, seeking to depict everyday life and ordinary people with unprecedented accuracy. The print uses dark and light contrasts to create a sense of depth and texture. The plaid pattern on the girl's jacket, the rough strokes that define the background, and her hat all suggest the textures of rural life. The girl's direct gaze may invite viewers to consider the dignity and humanity of the working class, challenging the traditional art world that often focused on noble or historical subjects. To understand this artwork better, historical resources, such as the artist’s biographies, the social history of Germany, and exhibition reviews of the time may provide invaluable context. Art is always made within a specific social and institutional context and as historians, our job is to investigate these different layers.