Tiroler Mädchen, auf einer Stufe stehend 1878

Max Liebermann made this drawing of a Tyrolean girl standing on a step with graphite on paper. In focusing on the act of drawing, Liebermann engages a process of mark-making, that renders the figure with a visible structure and texture, focusing on the expression of form, volume, and shadow. The graphite material itself offers a range of tonal values, from light to dark, which the artist exploits to create depth and dimension. The conscious display of marks conveys a sense of immediacy, capturing the artist’s direct engagement with the subject. While the subject is a girl in traditional dress, the drawing seems more interested in the act of observation. Liebermann prompts us to consider that the true subject is the artist’s perception and skill. The drawing underscores the value of the artist’s labor and intellect, and that what might be considered a simple sketch requires a depth of skill, and deserves appreciation beyond conventional hierarchies of art and craft.