Bust of Eva Maatz c. 1827

Gerhardt Wilhelm von Reutern created this bust of Eva Maatz using pen and brown ink over graphite on cream laid paper. Notice how the artist has meticulously rendered the textures of her elaborate lace bonnet and collar with dense, fine lines. This creates a striking contrast against the smoother treatment of her face and dress. The precision and control of the line work is particularly evident in the detailing of her eyes and mouth. It's interesting to consider this work through the lens of structuralism. The artist uses a semiotic system of lines to represent not just the physical appearance of the sitter but also her social status, coded in her attire. The formal constraints of the medium, with its emphasis on line and tonal variation, invite us to reflect on the power of representation.