In memoriam Minnerl Schüller 1942

Curator: This drawing, "In memoriam Minnerl Schüller," made with pencil in 1942 by Karl Wiener, feels incredibly personal and poignant. The subject’s pose and the memorial inscription both add to the intimate atmosphere of the sketch. What draws your attention when you look at this piece? Editor: Well, the visible pencil strokes give it such a raw, almost unfinished quality. It makes me think about the act of creating itself. Is it the process that carries as much meaning as the final image in this case? Curator: Absolutely. Notice the inscription; "In memoriam." How does knowing this was made in memory of someone influence your perception of the work? And consider the context: 1942, during the Second World War. Materials would have been scarce. The choice of a simple pencil sketch speaks volumes. It highlights a necessity, resourcefulness driven by limited means of production and perhaps underscores the directness of feeling, doesn't it? Editor: That makes perfect sense. It’s like the scarcity elevates the drawing, emphasizing its value despite the humble materials. Do you see this piece challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft? Curator: Yes, definitely. Think about portraiture as often celebrating the wealthy. Yet, this is "in memoriam" – more about remembrance than status. The labor of love, the artist's hand evident in every line, brings it closer to a crafted object born from necessity rather than mere artistic flourish, dissolving boundaries between fine art and what we often devalue as simply 'craft.' It shows that profound emotional meaning can be conveyed through the simplest means. Editor: I hadn't thought about the "in memoriam" part connecting to craft, but you're right, it really humanizes the work. Curator: Exactly. I now look at the historical setting to view it as Karl Wiener created something born out of emotion when resourcefulness during that difficult period influenced that simplicity of this artwork. Editor: Now, considering the artist and the circumstances in which this portrait drawing came about has definitely broadened my appreciation for the process of its creation, far beyond just its aesthetic appearance.