Lagernde junge Frau, sich in einem Spiegel betrachtend (_) 14 - 1892

Otto Scholderer made this drawing of a reclining woman with graphite on paper, dated May 16, 1892. The medium here is significant: it is a study, not a finished composition, and graphite is a quintessentially provisional material. Note the varied treatment of line, which models the woman’s body and indicates the fall of light. The artist captures her likeness with just a few strokes, using the inherent qualities of the graphite to add shadow and depth. It's a relatively quick process, especially when compared with painting, and encourages a fluid approach. The intimacy of the scene and medium used create a sense of immediacy and authenticity. This type of study was not typically for public consumption, and because of this, it offers a look into the artist's process that is not always visible in finished works. It shows a moment of observation and skilled mark-making that transcends the divide between the artist's craft and fine art.