Luise Scholderer schlafend mit gefalteten Händen 12 - 1894

Otto Scholderer made this drawing of Luise Scholderer asleep with folded hands in 1894. The softness of the graphite is ideal for capturing a figure at rest. This is a preparatory sketch, a moment of intimate observation, delineated through subtle variations in tone and line work. The paper support and drawing material are both relatively inexpensive, meaning that the artist could create a study without making a major investment. But note that Scholderer has still invested time and skill here. See, for example, the deft rendering of the fabric around Luise’s head and on her body. The quick application of pencil across the page gives a sense of light and shadow, and the quality of the work has a direct connection to the time and labor invested in its making. This kind of artwork reminds us that even the simplest materials can be used to produce something quite compelling, with skill and practice.