Old woman with a bonnet in profile to the left 1899

Paula Modersohn-Becker created this poignant portrait of an old woman with a bonnet in profile to the left using charcoal on paper. The material itself—humble charcoal—contributes to the work's somber tone. Modersohn-Becker masterfully uses the medium's inherent qualities, from soft smudges to crisp lines, to capture the textures of skin and fabric. Notice how the powdery charcoal creates a subtle haze, softening the woman's features. The drawing's muted colors, dictated by the charcoal itself, further emphasize a sense of austerity. Modersohn-Becker, despite her early death at just 31, was deeply invested in depicting the lives of everyday people, often laborers and peasants. In this drawing, the sitter’s simple bonnet and worn features speak to a life of hard work and limited means. It reminds us that portraiture is not just about capturing likeness but about conveying dignity and humanity across social divides.