Two Seated Women 

Jules Schmalzigaug captured these 'Two Seated Women' with the simple, direct medium of red chalk on paper. The choice of chalk allowed Schmalzigaug to create a sketch-like quality, with an emphasis on spontaneity and line. The velvety texture of the chalk imbues the drawing with a warmth that softens the figures, making them approachable. By focusing on outlines and leaving the bodies otherwise unadorned, he invites us to consider the essence of form and posture. The simplicity of the materials and technique suggests a quick study or preparatory sketch. Yet, there's a deliberate quality to the composition, with each line contributing to the overall sense of balance and harmony. The immediacy of the drawing process captures the women's seated repose, which may have been a common posture for women of the leisure class to read or relax, away from domestic and factory labor. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that profound artistic expression need not rely on elaborate materials or complex techniques; it is the artist's vision and the deftness of their hand that truly bring a work to life.