Portrait of Luise Scholderer 1879

Otto Scholderer made this portrait of Luise Scholderer using graphite and white heightening on blue paper. The choice of materials here speaks volumes. We have a simple combination: pencil, paper, and the addition of white to bring out highlights. The blue paper becomes the mid-tone, and the artist works subtractively from there. It’s a fast way to work, very efficient. Notice how the graphite brings out the intricate patterns of her shawl, hinting at the textile production of the time –the labor involved in weaving such a complex design. But overall, the technique is fast and economical. The medium is a study, a preparation for something else perhaps, yet it has a beauty of its own. It is an intimate look into the artist's process, where the labor of drawing is laid bare. It reminds us that art is not just about the finished product, but the journey of creation, the choices made, and the materials handled along the way.