Studien nach dem menschlichen Skelett 

Victor Müller made this skeletal study using graphite on paper. This isn't so much a finished artwork, as a demonstration of Müller's command of the basic knowledge and techniques all artists had to master. Note how the use of graphite allows for a very high degree of detail and subtle tonal gradations. This is crucial for accurately capturing the complex forms of the skeleton, the bones rendered in multiple views to demonstrate a complete understanding of the three-dimensional form. Also, observe the underlying grid, suggesting a systematic process of observation and transcription. Ultimately, this drawing, and others like it, provided the basis for all of Müller's subsequent work. Without a solid foundation in the fundamentals, an artist could not hope to achieve lasting success. So, in a way, this is an image about labor, and the slow, methodical process by which expertise is built. It's a reminder that even the most seemingly effortless artistic achievements are built on countless hours of practice.