Zwei Krieger, der rechte zu Pferde (Fragment) 

Victor Müller created this drawing, titled "Two Warriors, the right one on horseback (Fragment)," using graphite on paper. The qualities of graphite are essential here. Its dry, almost metallic sheen gives the figures a ghostly presence. Look closely, and you'll see how Müller built up the forms with many short, overlapping strokes, exploiting the medium's capacity for subtle shading. Graphite allowed for quick, fluid lines that capture the dynamic tension of the scene, but also, the very easy correction of lines. This speaks to the preliminary nature of the sketch. The paper, too, plays a role, it has aged to a warm tone, which contrasts with the cool gray of the graphite. The combination of materials is a reminder that even the simplest of drawings have a material presence. By paying attention to these elements, we can better understand the artist's process and appreciate the subtle beauty of this sketch.