Türdurchblick mit Kartoffelschälerin 

Jacob Happ made this sketch of potato peelers in Germany, likely near the turn of the century. It depicts a group of women and girls engaged in domestic labor. Happ here offers us a glimpse into a traditional, rural lifestyle. The scene reflects the economic realities and social structures of late 19th-century Germany, where labor was often divided along gender lines. With the industrial revolution in full swing, many artists turned their attention to the lives of ordinary people, often celebrating the virtues of rural life. However, it's also worth noting that this idyllic portrayal may gloss over the hardships and inequalities inherent in such a system. Art historians often consult census data, photographs, and literature from the period in order to better understand the context in which artworks like these were created. Such information helps to paint a fuller picture of the social conditions that shaped artistic production, encouraging us to think about the role of art in reflecting, reinforcing, or even challenging existing social norms.