Bather 

Otto Mueller made this pastel drawing of a bather. Notice the dynamic interplay between the angular lines and the soft, muted colors that create a sense of both tension and tranquility. The composition is structured around the reclining figure, which anchors the scene and guides our eye through the landscape. Mueller's use of pastel allows for a unique exploration of texture and light. The strokes are applied with varying pressure, creating a sense of depth and movement. This interplay between line and color suggests a world that is both familiar and slightly distorted. The bather is not merely a figure in a landscape but a focal point through which we experience a new way of seeing. The artist challenges the traditional representation of the human form by highlighting the interplay between organic and geometric shapes. The muted tones invite us to contemplate the relationship between the body and its environment, blurring the boundaries between figure and ground.