_The new Polly_ 1872

Otto Scholderer created this drawing, "The new Polly," with graphite on paper. The composition is quietly engaging; it draws you into a domestic moment rendered with delicate lines and subtle shading. A young girl stands on a chair, reaching towards a birdcage, while the surrounding space is defined by a soft, ambient light. Scholderer employs a structural approach to space, dividing the composition into distinct planes. The foreground, middle ground, and background interact to create depth while maintaining a sense of flatness, reminiscent of early modernist explorations. The lines are used not just descriptively, but also to construct relationships between objects and figures. Notice how the structural elements of the chair, cage, and figure are interwoven to create a balanced yet dynamic composition. It's a study in contrasts and relationships, inviting us to consider how we construct meaning through the visual language of art.