The young gamekeeper 1874

Otto Scholderer sketched this pencil drawing, "The Young Gamekeeper", in 1874. It depicts a young man standing in a copse of trees, holding a long thin branch, in the position of the gamekeeper. During Scholderer's lifetime, the role of the gamekeeper in European society was complex, often reflecting social tensions related to land ownership and class. In the mid-19th century, as industrialization progressed, the romantic view of rural life gained prominence. The figure is presented as a youth which suggests themes of innocence and a connection to nature. In the context of traditional European social structures, hunting was often associated with the aristocracy, while working on the land was associated with peasantry. This work captures the intimate relationship between individuals and their environment, and hints at social stratification. Though on closer inspection, it is a figure that looks more like a farmhand than one of the upper classes. It is therefore ambiguous if Scholderer is idealizing the life of working people or if it is meant as social commentary.