Luise und Victor Scholderer in einer Landschaft 

Editor: We're looking at "Luise und Victor Scholderer in einer Landschaft," a pencil drawing by Otto Scholderer, held at the Städel Museum. It has a very light, almost ghostly quality to it. It’s clearly a landscape, but quite preliminary, capturing a fleeting moment. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: This drawing offers a glimpse into the artistic process during the 19th century. Landscape sketches like these were crucial to developing larger paintings. Think about the evolving role of nature within society during that time; industrialization was changing the landscape and ideas of leisure. What do you think the inclusion of people in the landscape does for our understanding? Editor: It grounds the scene, maybe? Or humanizes it, preventing it from being solely about nature's grandeur. Curator: Exactly. These figures – presumably Luise and Victor Scholderer – represent the increasing trend of experiencing nature as recreation, but the very act of portraying them engaged in that experience elevates them. In placing people within the composition the artist frames an entire experience of life within the art. How does the apparent lack of finish inform our understanding of art-making in this period? Editor: It feels more intimate, like we're seeing a private moment of inspiration, rather than a finished product intended for public consumption. I guess artists weren't always striving for total perfection. Curator: Precisely. It reminds us that art has different roles – preliminary studies like these were often not considered display-worthy but are now vital for understanding an artist's method and the social context of their work. It's fascinating to consider how our perception of art evolves. Editor: It's amazing how a simple pencil sketch can reveal so much about art, society and personal connections. Thanks for highlighting the nuances in this work.