Schiller's crowing c. 1859

This drawing, made by Victor Müller, uses graphite to sketch out a complex composition. Graphite, in its basic form, connects us to the act of mark-making, a direct and immediate way of capturing an idea. The sketch reveals Müller's artistic process, showing how he built up the image through layers of lines. You can see the repeated strokes and corrections, a kind of labor that brings the scene to life. It also shows the division of labor typical of academic art. This immediacy allows us to see the artist's hand at work and gives the image a sense of spontaneity and dynamism. The use of graphite emphasizes the importance of drawing as a fundamental skill in the academic tradition. Looking closely at the texture of the paper and the varying pressure of the graphite, we get a sense of the artist's touch, reminding us that even in a preliminary study, the materiality of the work plays a crucial role in its meaning. The drawing prompts us to consider the value of the handmade in an age of mass production.