Schreibendes kleines Mädchen 1860

Editor: Here we have Hugo Kauffmann’s “Schreibendes kleines Mädchen,” or “Little Girl Writing,” created around 1860 using pencil. It's currently residing here at the Städel Museum. I'm immediately struck by how wistful and inward-looking she seems. There's a vulnerability in the downcast eyes and the way she clutches her shawl. What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: Ah, yes, our little scribe! To me, this drawing is like a whisper from a bygone era, a glimpse into a child's inner world. There's something so poignant about the act of a young girl committing her thoughts to paper back then, don't you think? Especially considering the limited opportunities afforded to women in intellectual pursuits. One almost wonders what secrets she's pouring out. Is it a letter? A story? Perhaps just idle doodles fueled by a rich imagination? The unfinished quality adds to the mystique. Editor: That's fascinating – the limited opportunities aspect never crossed my mind. I was so focused on the emotional tone, the quiet intimacy of the scene. It’s amazing that a few pencil strokes can convey so much vulnerability, isn't it? Curator: Precisely! Kauffmann has captured that fleeting, ephemeral quality of childhood perfectly. Consider the way the shawl drapes – it's almost protective, a shield against the world. The details in her hands…she’s both tentative and determined. It’s really quite evocative, wouldn't you agree? It almost brings you to your knees because that girl could be a friend you remember, maybe from years ago, the kind who was always so busy with her pencil and sketchbook. What do you make of the scale and medium? Editor: It does, I think! Thinking of the time it was drawn, pencil makes sense, though I do wish the artwork were larger. Thank you; that opened up new avenues for considering it. Curator: My pleasure! Art like this rewards close looking, letting your mind wander down its curious avenues, to think and remember a while, you know?