Szene an einem italienischen Palast 

Johann Friedrich Morgenstern created this scene of an Italian palace, rendered in delicate washes of gray ink, during a time when artists often looked to Italy for inspiration and a connection to classical ideals. The image depicts an affluent group leisurely gathered at the palace. The figures, arranged on the steps leading down to the water, offer a glimpse into the hierarchies of 19th-century society. There is a clear distinction between the elegantly dressed figures, who are presumably of higher social standing, and the working class barely visible in the distance. The child throwing stones at the ducks adds an element of spontaneity to the scene. It reminds me how class and gender can shape our experiences and perceptions of leisure and privilege. The artwork asks us to consider whose stories are being told and whose are being overlooked.