Zwei Bäuerinnen vor einer niedrigen Mauer, die linke von hinten gesehen, die rechte halb von der Seite c. 1771 - 1772

Georg Melchior Kraus rendered this scene of two peasant women with watercolor. Notice the low wall or ledge that divides the women from the viewer, grounding them in their space, while simultaneously creating a boundary. This boundary, however, is porous. It appears frequently in art across history, with figures leaning on walls or window sills, connecting us to their world, while still set apart. Think of van Eyck’s “Arnolfini Portrait” with its mirror reflecting the scene back at us, drawing the viewer into the space, or Caspar David Friedrich's wanderers facing landscapes from an elevated perspective. This motif evokes a deep, subconscious longing for connection and a simultaneous recognition of separation. The women are present, yet untouchable, inviting contemplation, suggesting a cyclical pattern of engagement and introspection. The image’s power lies in this emotional resonance, a subtle invitation to explore our place within the world, separated and together.