Head of a Young Woman 

Moritz Daniel Oppenheim made this drawing of a young woman with graphite on paper. At first glance, it seems simple. But there is a world of intention and skill embedded in the marks on this page. Consider the artist's process: each precise line carefully placed to build up the form of the woman's face, her gentle expression emerging as the graphite is layered. The quality of line is very controlled. This is the mark of someone who has mastered the art of draftsmanship, a skill that was highly prized in the 19th century. The drawing becomes more than just a portrait. It is also an index of the artist's labor, his dedication to craft, and a testament to the cultural values that elevated drawing to a fine art. It challenges us to see the value in this type of 'slow' work, in contrast to the mass-produced imagery that increasingly defines our world.