Bust portrait of an old woman 

Simon Wagner made this bust portrait of an old woman in the 19th century using graphite on paper. The choice of humble materials speaks volumes. Graphite, derived from mined mineral deposits, is processed into the leads we use in pencils. Paper, in this era, was increasingly manufactured in industrial mills, from wood pulp or recycled rags. The softness of graphite allows for delicate gradations of tone, and the texture of the paper affects how the graphite is laid down. Wagner masterfully uses these qualities to convey the woman's aged skin and simple garments. The very act of drawing, a process involving repetitive strokes and careful observation, mirrors the daily labor and patience often associated with working-class lives. Wagner's choice to render this ordinary subject with so much care is a testament to the value of everyday experience. It challenges the traditional hierarchy that puts grand historical paintings above simple drawings. It reminds us that art can be found not only in lavish materials but also in the careful and thoughtful transformation of the most common ones.