Studienblatt_ Die Dogge Cäsar, liegend nach links c. 1877 - 1878

Wilhelm Trübner made this drawing, "Studienblatt: Die Dogge Cäsar, liegend nach links" or "Study Sheet: Caesar the Great Dane, lying to the left" with graphite. The composition showcases two studies of the dog, one above the other, each capturing a slightly different pose. The upper dog, rendered with darker, more assertive lines, appears almost sculptural. It is as if Trübner is trying to understand the dog's form through line and shadow. Below, the second dog is drawn with a lighter touch, its form more subtly suggested, seemingly capturing the fleeting moment of life and movement. The use of line here is particularly striking. Trübner employs a variety of strokes—short, repetitive marks to build tone, and longer, more flowing lines to define the contour of the dog. This juxtaposition of techniques emphasizes the contrast between the substantiality of the dog's body and the lightness of its presence. In its totality, this drawing serves not just as a representation of a dog, but also as an exercise in form, line, and the very act of seeing.