Puffy sleeves 

Victor Müller made this charcoal drawing, Puffy Sleeves, sometime in the mid-19th century. It is currently held here at the Städel Museum. As a study of clothing rather than a finished portrait, this work offers us a glimpse into the training practices of academic art in Europe at this time. The ability to render drapery convincingly was a key skill taught in art academies, which were powerful institutions that shaped artistic production. Müller, as a product of this system, was concerned with more than just the aesthetic of these puffy sleeves; his success depended on mastering the art of depiction. This drawing demonstrates an institutional demand for artists to accurately represent textures, forms, and the fall of light. To fully appreciate this work, one might research the curriculum of art academies during this period. Considering the social conditions that valued such skills sheds light on the purpose and significance of drawings like this.