Study for Seated Figure of a Woman (Maiden) n.d.

Ferdinand Piloty made this study of a seated woman with graphite on paper. The medium itself is unassuming, almost like a quick sketch, but look closer and you can see the artist’s mastery of the pencil. Piloty coaxes a full range of tones and textures from the graphite, from the soft modeling of the woman’s face to the heavier shading that defines the drapery. You can almost feel the weight of the fabric and the way it folds and gathers. The artist's engagement with the material elevates a common medium. The skillful handling of graphite transforms a simple sketch into a nuanced study of form, light, and shadow, showing us how the right artist can do extraordinary things with simple materials.