Maternity room 

Editor: This drawing, titled "Maternity Room" is by Victor Müller, and it appears to be made with pencil and chalk on paper. The linear composition evokes a somber yet tender atmosphere. What elements stand out to you from a formalist point of view? Curator: The formal properties here are quite fascinating. Observe the stark contrast between the fully realised figures to the right, composed of firm strokes, and the ghostly sketches composing those on the left. Notice also the implied geometric structure; the subtle grid formed by the figures echoes the window behind the new mother, thus subtly underlining the artwork's inherent two-dimensionality. Editor: That’s an interesting observation. How does the artist manage to create depth in this 2D structure? Curator: While the linear nature reinforces the flatness, Muller implies depth through the use of hatching and subtle shifts in line weight. Note how the concentration of lines increases around the head of the standing woman, creating a sense of volume, setting it in the foreground. This highlights not just form but relative form within the plane. Editor: So the interplay between the linearity and the shading gives it its structure? Curator: Precisely. The drawing’s strength lies not in illusionistic representation but in the interplay between line, tone, and composition. We see academic principles employed through contrast and geometry rather than explicit storytelling. The structure itself tells a story. Editor: It is amazing how you highlighted these specific methods in his artwork. I've never really considered a drawing like this before. Curator: These drawings and sketches allow one to peel back layers, moving past pure aesthetic impression towards a functional analysis of core artistic methodology.