Wilhelmine in a Bathing Costume by Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein

Wilhelmine in a Bathing Costume

Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein · 1924

Scroll

“This striking drypoint portrait captures a young woman in a bathing costume, her direct gaze and relaxed pose offering a glimpse into early 20th-century life and personal freedom, rendered with a distinctive soft focus.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

A young woman, likely the artist's daughter or a close family member, stands confidently in a simple bathing costume, her gaze direct and engaging. The drypoint technique, characterized by its velvety lines and rich tonal variations, creates a soft focus around her, drawing attention to her figure. This print, created in 1924, captures a moment of modern leisure and a sense of personal freedom, reflecting the changing social norms of the early 20th century. The artist, Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein, often depicted women in her work, and here she presents a subject who is both vulnerable and poised, suggesting an intimate connection between the artist and the sitter. The simplicity of the composition emphasizes the model's presence, making her the undeniable focal point.

DETAILS
Artist
Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein
Date
1924
Medium
Drypoint on ivory wove paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
Image: 27.3 × 23.3 cm (10 3/4 × 9 3/16 in.); Plate: 27.9 × 23.8 cm (11 × 9 3/8 in.); Sheet: 32.6 × 25.5 cm (12 7/8 × 10 1/16 in.)
Collection
Prints and Drawings
Culture
Germany
Credit line
William McCallin McKee Memorial Endowment
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Wilhelmine in a Bathing Costume
01

The soft, blurred quality of the background, typical of drypoint.

02

The subtle texture of the bathing costume, rendered with fine lines.

03

The direct gaze of the subject, engaging the viewer.

04

The delicate shading on her arms and legs, giving them volume.

+1

1 more detail is waiting.

See all 5 in Art Whisper →
AUDIO DEEP DIVE

Stand in front of it and listen

The full narration walks you through Wilhelmine in a Bathing Costume — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

0:00Preview · 0:30Free preview · 0:30 Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST

Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein

1859–1937 · Switzerland

Ottilie Wilhelmine Roederstein, a German-Swiss painter, defied social norms to become a celebrated portraitist, exhibiting at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Read Roederstein’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Roederstein

1 / 2
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Roederstein: works from the same years.

Hear Wilhelmine in a Bathing Costume’s storyFree in the Art Whisper app Open