Madonna mit dem Kind auf dem Schoß und drei Engelsköpfchen 

Johann Ludwig Ernst Morgenstern rendered this drawing of the Madonna and Child, at an unknown date, using red chalk. The soft medium gives a warmth to the intimate scene, while the hatching and cross-hatching create a sense of depth. The composition draws our eye to the figures of Mary and the infant Christ. Note how Morgenstern uses subtle variations in tone to distinguish between the fabrics and flesh, lending a tangible quality to the folds of Mary's garment and the soft skin of the baby. The cherubic faces hovering in the background lack strong definition, reinforcing their celestial nature. This treatment reflects the artist's understanding of form and composition, bringing a sense of divinity to a familiar subject. Ultimately, it is the formal qualities – the tonal range of the chalk, the play of light and shadow, and the balanced arrangement of figures – that allow the drawing to transcend its subject matter and function as a powerful expression of religious devotion.