Mädchen in Dreiviertelfigur nach links mit offenem Haar und Hut 1872

Otto Scholderer created this pencil drawing, "Mädchen in Dreiviertelfigur nach links mit offenem Haar und Hut," around 1872. The delicacy of the lines and the softness of the shading give the portrait a gentle, almost dreamlike quality. The composition is built around a play of contrasting textures. The flowing, unbound hair provides a counterpoint to the structured form of the hat. The hat, adorned with feathers, adds a touch of formality and sophistication. Scholderer masterfully uses the interplay between organic and geometric shapes to create a dynamic visual tension. The drawing might seem conventional, but it subtly destabilizes traditional portraiture. The young girl's gaze is directed away, inviting curiosity about her inner thoughts. The unfinished quality of the sketch challenges fixed ideas about representation, suggesting art as a process of exploration and discovery.