Frau Knopp beim Fensterputz 1876

This is Wilhelm Busch's sketch, "Frau Knopp beim Fensterputz," which translates to Mrs. Knopp Cleaning Windows. Busch, who was born in 1832, created this image during a time of significant social change, as industrialization was transforming traditional roles. Here, Frau Knopp is captured in a moment of domestic labor, a space historically and culturally assigned to women. The sketch emphasizes the physical and somewhat precarious nature of her work, standing on a ledge, bucket and cleaning equipment close by. Busch's loose lines and simple composition don't romanticize her task; instead, they reflect the everyday reality of many women. Busch did not specifically comment on this piece, but his work often critiqued societal norms through humor and satire. This sketch can be seen as part of a larger commentary on gendered labor and the often-unseen efforts that uphold domestic life. It's a simple scene, yet it evokes a deep sense of the personal within the political context of women’s work.