Portrait of a lady with a hat 

Otto Scholderer sketched this portrait of a lady with a hat using graphite on paper. The woman, depicted from the chest up, is centrally positioned, establishing a sense of formal balance. The portrait has a subdued, intimate quality. Scholderer used a range of linear strokes to suggest the contours of her face, the texture of her hair, and the folds of her clothing. The varying densities create a sense of depth and volume within a relatively shallow space. Her hat, adorned with dark flourishes, frames her face, drawing our attention to her composed expression. The use of line is not just representational; it conveys the character of the subject. The sketch reveals the artist's process and the evolution of the image, reminding us of the interplay between artist, medium, and subject. This interplay challenges the traditional view of portraiture as mere representation, inviting us to consider it as an exploration of form, expression, and the very act of seeing.