Study of an Old Woman from Magdeburg 1891

Adolph Menzel's "Study of an Old Woman from Magdeburg" is a charcoal drawing depicting a woman in profile, her face etched with age and experience. The detail in her wrinkled skin and the delicate lace collar she wears exemplifies Menzel's masterful ability to capture the essence of his subjects. The drawing's composition and expressive lines contribute to the artwork's inherent realism, characteristic of Menzel's style. The inscription “Magdeburg, Gottliebstr. 10” provides insight into the sitter's origin and location, while the inscription “Schwanz” [tail] at the top of the drawing suggests the possibility of a hidden narrative or a whimsical note by the artist. The drawing's intimate scale and the artist's choice of charcoal further emphasize the subject's individuality and the passage of time.