Sitzende aus der _Vorbereitung zum Kostümball_ c. 1879 - 1880

Otto Scholderer sketched this preparatory drawing of a seated woman for a costume ball, with pencil on paper. Note the sitter's melancholic, downward gaze, and the way her hand rests limply on her lap: these gestures, though subtle, are loaded with meaning. One could argue that they echo, faintly, the ancient pose of melancholy found in depictions of Saturn, the god of introspection, or even in the languid figures of nymphs in classical art. The averted gaze, a motif of quiet contemplation, speaks volumes. This is a subtle yet powerful way of engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking a sense of introspection and emotional connection. This emotional quality resurfaces throughout art history, evolving and taking on new meanings in different contexts. It’s not a linear progression, but rather a cyclical return of certain emotional and psychological states.