Frau am Herd (Woman at the Cooker): More Than Just a Kitchen Stove

Can an ordinary kitchen stove make a statement about women's rights?

Frau am Herd is an original acrylic painting on paper, inspired by a wonderfully colourful old cooker in a mountain hut at 2,100 metres above sea level, where I spent four summers painting in the Swiss Alps.

I was immediately drawn to its beautiful colours, well-worn surfaces and the quiet dignity of an object that has served generations of people. But the painting also carries a deeper meaning.

In German, Frau am Herd (woman at the cooker) evokes the traditional expectation that a woman's place is in the kitchen. As a female artist and former president of the Women's Career Network in Vienna, I am passionate about women's rights and equality. The frustration of encountering outdated attitudes towards women sometimes finds its way into my paintings.

In 1950s Britain, the Kitchen Sink Painters turned their attention to ordinary domestic life. I am similarly fascinated by the beauty of everyday objects, but also by the social histories and assumptions they carry.

This old cooker, with all its patina and character, becomes something more than a functional household object. It is a colourful celebration of domestic life, but also a gentle challenge to the idea that women should be confined to it.

And why not hang it in your kitchen? I love having original art in the kitchen. It brings colour, warmth and personality to a room, particularly a sleek modern one that could benefit from a little history and charm.

A beautiful pairing with a shared message

Frau am Herd would look particularly striking alongside my painting Tied to the Kitchen Sink.

Both paintings were inspired by the kitchen of the same mountain hut and explore the relationship between domestic life, traditional gender roles and women's independence.

With identical dimensions, they make a natural pair. Displayed side by side, they create a colourful, playful and thought-provoking conversation about the place of women in society.

Artwork details

• Original, one-of-a-kind painting

• Medium: Acrylic on paper

• Artwork size: 64 × 50 cm

• Mounted and ready for framing

Your original painting will be sent carefully wrapped and securely packaged for transport. I recommend professional framing to protect the artwork and beautifully present it in your home.