David’s robe study to the painting ‘King David playing the harp’ 1855

Józef Simmler created this study of a robe in preparation for his painting ‘King David playing the harp’, using graphite pencil on paper. This artwork invites us to consider the relationship between the material world and artistic representation. Through his technique, Simmler captures the essence of fabric, emphasizing its weight, texture, and fall. Each line and shadow meticulously rendered, contribute to the illusion of three-dimensionality. The process itself, involving the repetitive application of graphite, highlights the labor involved in artistic creation. Simmler’s focus on the robe elevates a common object to a subject of artistic importance. It makes you consider the historical context of garment production in the 19th century, where textiles were often associated with manual labor and domestic work. By studying this drawing, we can appreciate the skills and craftsmanship involved in both art and textile production, blurring the boundaries between these two worlds.