Stehender männlicher Akt nach rechts, die Linke zur Rede erhoben (_) 

This is a pencil drawing of a male nude, made by Victor Müller, who was born in 1830. Pencil might seem like a humble material, but its capacity for subtle tonal variation made it a favorite of academic artists like Müller, who used it to plan larger paintings. Look closely, and you'll see the texture of the paper coming through the drawing, a visual reminder of the material foundation on which the image is constructed. Müller skillfully uses hatching and shading to create a sense of volume and depth, particularly in the musculature of the figure. But it is important to remember that even the most seemingly effortless sketch results from countless hours of practice – in this case, following in a long tradition of artists studying the human form. So, while this drawing may appear simple at first glance, it embodies a rich history of artistic training and a deep engagement with the materiality of both paper and pencil. It challenges us to consider the value we place on both skilled labor and the creative process.