Bäuerin aus Albano mit einem Krug 

Johann Nepomuk Rauch created this study of a peasant woman from Albano, probably in the early 19th century, using oil on paper. This painting is an example of genre art, which became popular as the bourgeoisie grew in power. These paintings, which are often small and informal, illustrate scenes of everyday life. This burgeoning art market turned to a more 'folksy' form of Realism, and as such, peasants became a favorite subject for artists. Rauch’s Italian peasant isn’t idealized or sentimentalized, she looks like she is working. While this approach challenged the dominant academic styles of the time, we must be critical of the power dynamics inherent in this artistic gaze. The social history of art reminds us that understanding art requires an interdisciplinary approach. By consulting historical sources, such as census records, economic data, and social commentary, we gain a richer understanding of the complex factors that shaped this image.