Detail eines Flachsfeldes in Neusalz an der Oder c. 1886

Curator: Otto Scholderer's pencil drawing, "Detail eines Flachsfeldes in Neusalz an der Oder," circa 1886, captures a seemingly simple scene. It's currently held here at the Städel Museum. Editor: My first thought is the fragility. It’s pencil on paper, incredibly delicate. The artist uses these light, feathery strokes which give this field a quiet, unassuming feel. Curator: Yes, Scholderer, associated with Impressionism, gives us more than just a pretty landscape; it depicts a specific flax field near Neusalz, now Nowa Sól in Poland, once a center of linen production. He engages with social and economic factors that defined this region, as he was drawn to subjects with personal ties, perhaps hinting at industrial change. Editor: I find myself wondering about the kind of pencil he’s using, look how fine that detailing is! Also, the paper itself probably wasn't the pristine, mass-produced stuff we find today. I wonder if he chose the specific paper for a subtle texture. You almost feel the artist's hand on the page as he painstakingly creates a likeness. Curator: You bring up an interesting point regarding the production itself! Looking through a modern lens, it can serve to illustrate late nineteenth century Silesia, its socio-economic realities and the human connection to linen production and to a way of life quickly disappearing in the face of modernization. His subtle realism is quite political. Editor: There's such vulnerability and honesty about this scene, partly thanks to its medium and partly the very direct approach. The artist shows flax cultivation, a craft connected to land. It reminds you about all the physical labour involved and how dependent communities are. Even in its subtle way, there’s resistance in simply just documenting all the slow-moving elements which capitalism was beginning to make redundant at that period. Curator: A worthwhile perspective that enhances how we understand this drawing as an Impressionist exploration beyond light and color. Thanks, that changes my perspective! Editor: Exactly! It gives more resonance for seeing these fragile artworks. Thank you!