Herabhängender Arm, in der Hand ein Handschuh, zum Porträt des Freiherrn von Blittersdorff 1845

Moritz von Schwind drew this subtle pencil sketch titled *Herabhängender Arm, in der Hand ein Handschuh, zum Porträt des Freiherrn von Blittersdorff* as a preparatory study. The arm, sleeve, and gloved hand are rendered in delicate lines against a muted grey ground. The artist’s meticulous approach to detail captures the form and texture of the fabric, suggesting the weight and fall of the sleeve. The composition, though fragmentary, implies a larger narrative context, evoking a sense of absence. The hand, clutching a glove, hints at the impending action and the sitter's character. Schwind's use of line and shading is particularly effective in suggesting volume and depth despite the sketch's minimalist nature. This method elevates the study beyond mere functionality to a compelling examination of form and representation.