Woman at the sewing machine c. 1900

Gustav Schraegle’s pencil drawing presents a woman seated at a sewing machine. The composition, with its delicate lines, conveys a sense of quiet domesticity, yet hints at underlying complexities. The artist uses a network of light strokes to map out the scene. Notice how the recurring circular forms—the wheel of the sewing machine, the woman's head—create a rhythmic visual structure. This repetition not only unifies the composition but also invites us to consider the cyclical nature of labor and domestic life. The drawing challenges fixed meanings by destabilizing traditional representations of women. Instead of portraying her as an idealized figure, Schraegle captures a moment of everyday existence. This shift reflects broader philosophical concerns about the value of women's work and the construction of gender roles in modern society. The sketch invites us to reflect on the interplay between the artist's mark, cultural context, and our own interpretations.