The Toilet 1890 - 1893

Robert Frederick Blum made this intimate pastel drawing titled "The Toilet" at the turn of the 20th century, inviting us into a private moment. The composition is softly rendered with muted tones that focus attention on the young woman. The artwork’s structure hinges on delicate lines and a subdued palette, primarily browns, purples and blues. The artist masterfully employs the pastel medium to create subtle gradations of color, suggesting the play of light and shadow across the woman's form. This technique adds depth and volume to the figure, grounding her in the space while also emphasizing her ethereality. We might consider this image as part of the Japonism movement, with the subject matter and delicate tonalities of the drawing referring to Japanese woodblock prints and aesthetics. Through the formal properties of this drawing, Blum is able to elicit a mood of quiet contemplation, as the woman gazes at her own reflection. The drawing not only captures a specific cultural moment, but also invites viewers to reflect on the nature of identity and representation.