Sitzender Frauenakt nach rechts, mit Draperie, aus _Der Mensch, der Schlaf und der Traum_ c. 1852 - 1854

This study of drapery was made by Victor Müller, using graphite on paper. It demonstrates the artist’s engagement with the material qualities of both fabric and graphite, exploring texture, weight, and form. Drapery studies like this were vital to the artist's practice, especially for depicting clothing in paintings. Müller carefully observed how fabric folds and falls, and how light and shadow define its three-dimensional form. The use of graphite allows for a nuanced range of tones, capturing the subtle gradations of light on the draped fabric. Although this drawing may seem modest, it connects to wider social and economic issues. The textile industry, during Müller's time, was deeply intertwined with labor practices and class structures. By focusing on drapery, Müller acknowledges the presence of cloth and clothing as products of labor and signifiers of social status. This study invites us to consider the cultural and historical context of clothing, and the human effort involved in its production. Ultimately, this drawing underscores the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.