Part of Exterior of a House 

Josef Hoffmann created this sketch of a house exterior using graphite on paper. Hoffmann was a prominent architect of the Vienna Secession, a movement that sought to break from the conservative artistic establishment. The grid underlying the drawing speaks to the increasing industrialization and standardization of the early 20th century. Yet, the sketch also hints at a tension between modern ideals and individual expression. We can see a small group of people on a balcony, perhaps suggesting the social life these modern spaces might enable. How does this envisioned space intersect with broader societal shifts, like the changing roles of women or the rise of the middle class? Hoffmann, grappling with these new social dynamics, infuses his designs with both a sense of progress and an awareness of the human element. Ultimately, this drawing captures a pivotal moment in the history of design, reflecting both the promise and the complexities of modernity.