Studie zu ‘Ossian und Malvina’ before 1821

Johann Peter Krafft made this study of a woman, probably in the early 19th century, using graphite on paper. The artist has built up the image through a series of fine, precise marks. The strokes of graphite define the contours of the face and softly model the features. The inherent qualities of the graphite—its softness and sheen—allow for subtle gradations of tone. The paper, with its warm tone, serves as both a ground and a compositional element. The social significance of a drawing like this lies in its function as a preparatory study. Such drawings were often made in the service of larger paintings, and were part of the artist’s process of refining his vision. We can imagine the artist, through patient labor, transferring the image to a canvas, contributing to a larger economy of artistic production. The apparent simplicity of this drawing belies its complexity. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate its full meaning.