Josef Kriehuber Junior (Josef Franz Kriehuber), Kriehuber's second son 1863

This portrait of Josef Kriehuber Junior was made by his father, Josef Kriehuber, in Vienna using graphite. Graphite, in its raw form, is a soft, crystalline form of carbon, a basic material found in the earth. Here, its softness is key, allowing the artist to achieve a remarkable range of tonal variation, from the softest grays to the deepest blacks. Look at how Kriehuber has built up the image through tiny, precise strokes. Notice how the hatching defines the contours of his son’s face, and the texture of his hair, giving the portrait a palpable sense of form and volume. This wasn't just a record of appearance, but a display of the artist's skill, and a testament to the graphite's potential. The choice of such a common material, elevated through skillful use, challenges the traditional hierarchies of art and craft. It reminds us that artistic expression isn't just about the subject, but about the transformative power of the artist's hand.