Sitting boy in front of trees 

Editor: So, this is Otto Scholderer's "Sitting boy in front of trees", a pencil drawing on paper, housed right here at the Städel Museum. I'm immediately struck by its delicate nature. The lines are so faint, it almost feels like a fleeting memory. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, it's more than a fleeting memory; it’s a whisper from the past, isn't it? The way Scholderer uses pencil is like he’s sketching with sunlight. For me, it’s less about what is explicitly shown and more about the suggestion of what could be. A lazy summer afternoon, perhaps? A young boy lost in his thoughts. I love how the trees frame him, like he’s the main character in his own private stage play. Don't you feel like you are looking into a scene rather than at it? Editor: Absolutely! The trees do feel like they are embracing him. It also gives off a romantic vibe with how unbothered the boy seems, lost in his own world. But do you think this portrait has some special symbolism? Curator: Symbolism is an interesting thought! Perhaps. The boy’s stillness could represent a pause in the chaos of life, a moment of tranquility amidst the rustling leaves and unspoken stories. Or maybe, it's simply Scholderer capturing a candid moment, free from the stiff poses of formal portraiture. It's really beautiful, don’t you think? Editor: I do. It makes you wonder what he’s thinking about, right? It's much more engaging than those older, posed portraits we see. Curator: Precisely! I like to imagine this drawing as a page torn from Scholderer’s sketchbook. A little glimpse into his creative process, before paintings are even realised! The light here feels like its the main player too - soft shadows but a glow regardless. Editor: It really does feel special to glimpse this private moment. Thanks for that little thought exercise – looking at it with that idea makes it even more intriguing.