Brustbild eines Knaben im Profil nach links 

Marie Ellenrieder made this portrait of a boy in profile using graphite on paper. Graphite, essentially pencil lead, has been used for centuries, prized for its ability to create delicate and precise marks. Here, Ellenrieder uses it to build up tone and texture, especially noticeable in the boy's hair and the soft folds of his collar. Look closely, and you can see the subtle gradations of light and shadow that give the drawing its depth. Graphite allows for easy correction, and its relative inexpensiveness made it a popular choice for studies and preparatory sketches. While not a flashy material, graphite allowed artists like Ellenrieder to capture the nuances of form and expression. The very act of drawing, with its directness and immediacy, offered a way to connect with the subject, revealing the artist's hand and the sitter's personality in a way that transcends the simplicity of the materials. It reminds us that even the humblest materials can be a powerful tool for artistic expression.