Bretonische Bäuerin (Original Title) 

Armin Stern's pencil drawing, "Bretonische Bäuerin," now at the Städel Museum, captures a Breton peasant woman. Stern, active in Germany, was part of a generation grappling with rapid industrialization and its impact on rural life. The image, though simple in its execution, participates in a broader European fascination with peasant culture. Artists often sought out what they perceived as authentic, unspoiled ways of life in the countryside. Brittany, with its distinct language and customs, became a popular destination. The drawing can be seen as an example of the "peasant genre," which often idealized rural life while ignoring the social and economic realities of the time. To fully understand this work, scholars can research travelogues, ethnographic studies, and exhibition histories of the period, to provide a deeper understanding of its cultural context. By studying the social and institutional forces at play, we reveal the complex dynamics between art, culture, and society.