Kopf einer toten alten Frau 

Philipp Winterwerb made this study of an old woman's head using pencil and white heightening, a technique to add highlights to drawings, during the nineteenth century. Look at the way Winterwerb uses the materials to create a sense of realism, and the level of work involved in creating such a somber and detailed study. The pencil marks define the contours of the face, while the white heightening brings volume to the subject's face, emphasizing the lines and wrinkles that mark the passage of time. The choice of such humble materials, pencil and paper, speaks volumes about the artist's intent, and the social context in which the work was produced. This was a period of great social upheaval, with industrialization transforming the lives of working-class people, who often faced poverty and hardship. Winterwerb's drawing invites us to reflect on the lives of ordinary people, and to consider the social and economic forces that shaped their existence. The artwork challenges traditional notions of fine art, showing us the beauty and significance of everyday life.