Selbstbildnis des Künstlers 

Otto Scholderer created this self-portrait with graphite on paper, and it’s now held at the Städel Museum. The portrait shows a man, presumably the artist, rendered with delicate, almost tentative lines. There's a softness to the hatching and cross-hatching that defines his features, hair, and beard. Scholderer’s meticulous approach to capturing his likeness reflects the burgeoning interest in realism during the 19th century. The artist’s gaze, slightly averted, gives us the impression of introspection, a characteristic posture of self-portraits from this period. The lines of the drawing do more than depict a face. They engage with questions about self-perception, identity, and representation. It also allows us to consider the broader cultural values attached to the representation of the self. The way the graphite is handled reveals an emphasis on the structure and form of the head, inviting us to appreciate the artistic process. Scholderer doesn't just present an image, he presents a study in form and self-analysis, opening a dialogue about how we see ourselves and how we wish to be seen.