Inferna
2025
Inspired by „Witch Doing her Toilette on Walpurgis Night” (Hexe bei der Toilette für die Walpurgisnacht“) by Teresa Feodorowna Ries.
The sculpture “Witch Doing her Toilette on Walpurgis Night” was created in 1895 by Russian-Jewish sculptor Teresa Feodorowna Ries, who was only 21 years old at the time.
Depicting a nude female figure grooming herself with a broomstick at her feet, the work caused a scandal when first exhibited in Vienna in 1896 — both for its provocative subject and its female creator.
Damaged during the 20th century, the sculpture has since been restored and is now part of Wien museum’s permanent collection, representing an important contribution by women artists to Viennese Modernism.