Bildnis eines Mannes in Uniform, Detail des rechten Arms 

Otto Scholderer captured this pencil drawing, ‘Bildnis eines Mannes in Uniform, Detail des rechten Arms,’ now at the Städel Museum, with delicate precision. The drawing emphasizes line and form, focusing on the intricate details of the uniform sleeve and the subtle contours of the hand. The contrast between the densely worked sleeve and the lightly sketched body creates a visual hierarchy. The sleeve, adorned with buttons and folds, is rendered with meticulous attention, drawing our eye to the tangible textures of the fabric. In contrast, the rest of the figure is suggested through fleeting lines, almost dematerializing into the blank canvas. This selective detail draws attention to the performative aspect of military dress. The uniform becomes a signifier of power and status, even in its partial rendering. The drawing's focus on the sleeve and hand, almost divorced from the body, prompts us to consider how garments mediate identity and authority. Scholderer invites us to reflect on the semiotics of clothing.