Abduction (plate nine from Paraphrase on the Finding of a Glove) 1881

Max Klinger created this etching, Abduction, as part of his series Paraphrase on the Finding of a Glove. The series explores themes of fetishism and erotic obsession through surreal imagery. In this plate, a disembodied glove flies through a window, perhaps in pursuit of the bouquet of flowers it flies towards. Made in Germany, the image reflects the Symbolist movement's interest in the unconscious and the irrational. The series was privately published, which allowed Klinger to explore unconventional themes. The glove as an object of desire challenges Victorian-era social norms around sexuality. Sigmund Freud's theories of the unconscious, which also emerged during this period, were challenging cultural institutions, and are useful for understanding the context of the artwork. To understand art's place in society, it is helpful to consider the social and institutional histories in which the art was made. What was considered acceptable or shocking? What were the dominant social and political concerns? These questions can be investigated through archival research, contemporary publications, and critical analysis.