Woman's head 

Christian Rohlfs created this work, "Woman’s Head" using chalk. The drawing's strength lies in its stark composition. A dark, almost monochromatic palette is used, lending a sombre, introspective mood to the piece. The vertical strokes of the chalk create a textured background, against which the woman's profile is delicately rendered. The artist plays with a contrast between solid form and ethereal outline. The woman’s features are suggested rather than defined, emphasizing a subjective interpretation of form. The use of chalk lends itself to such ambiguity, allowing for a play of light and shadow that obscures as much as it reveals. Rohlfs destabilizes traditional portraiture by focusing on form and texture over precise representation. The vertical strokes create a sense of movement, challenging our fixed perception. It invites us to consider how visual elements combine to create meaning.