Study of a Woman 1888

Adolph Menzel's "Study of a Woman" is a striking charcoal drawing from 1888 that captures the essence of an elderly woman's features. The artist, a master of realism, expertly uses shading and line to portray the subject's wrinkled skin and soft, gray hair, which is styled in a bun beneath a cap. The woman's gaze is lowered, creating a sense of quiet introspection. This intimate portrait showcases Menzel's ability to depict the human form with honesty and sensitivity. The drawing is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.