Linker Arm mit Geige aus dem _Geiger am Fenster_ c. 1861

Curator: Here we have "Linker Arm mit Geige aus dem _Geiger am Fenster_" or "Left Arm with Violin from _The Violinist at the Window_", a pencil drawing on paper by Otto Scholderer, circa 1861, currently residing here at the Städel Museum. Editor: My immediate impression is one of delicacy. The soft pencil strokes give it an ethereal quality, almost as if the image might dissipate before our eyes. Curator: Indeed, the drawing epitomizes the stylistic features characteristic of Romanticism, especially its preoccupation with intense emotion and its soft rendition. However, it also appears as a preliminary study, probably created for a larger composition. Considering its placement within the broader context of Scholderer’s work, its documentary value is undeniable. Editor: Yes, the form seems to matter a great deal. Note the careful attention given to the musculature of the hand. And the textures of the violin are interesting too, specifically the contrast between the curves of the body and the spirals of the scroll. Curator: That formal tension can also be attributed to Scholderer’s own biography. Initially linked to the Romanticism exemplified by the circle around the Nazarenes, his time in Paris under Courbet prompted a shift to a Realist mode, so that the depicted fragment might be viewed as symptomatic of Scholderer’s shifting relationship to established forms. Editor: Absolutely. This also suggests that the choice of rendering the arm in this pose relates directly to his social circle: a reference, perhaps, to musicians prominent in Parisian salons. Curator: Possibly. This sketch could very well allude to his interest in portraying the artistic milieus within which he navigated. What do you suppose this work reveals, particularly given what you’ve expressed? Editor: I think this work allows for speculation concerning the very nature of observation. It reminds me that capturing a fleeting moment can require meticulous work. And also, that there's grace to be found in that diligence. Curator: And I've been reminded of how essential it is to contextualize the creation of an artwork. Doing so highlights the dialogue between style, circumstance, and societal influence that surrounds its making.