Klavierspeelster 1767

Johannes Körnlein created 'Klavierspeelster', or 'Piano Player,' as a drawing with a height of 174 mm and a width of 146 mm, sometime before his death in 1772. Predominantly monochromatic in sanguine, the artwork is a study in contrasts between light and shadow. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to define form, particularly in the drapery of the figure’s dress, creating a sense of volume and texture. Note how the soft lines of the face and hands contrast with the more angular strokes defining the clothing. Körnlein’s focus seems to be less on capturing a likeness and more on exploring the interplay of light and shade. The piano player herself is secondary to the artist’s formal concerns. This approach aligns with broader 18th-century artistic interests in exploring the aesthetic possibilities of line and tone. The drawing exists as an exercise in form and composition, a kind of visual notation. Consider how the formal elements come together to invite a close viewing, revealing the artist's process and the era’s aesthetic values.