Mutter, ihrem Kind vorlesend 

Marie Ellenrieder made this drawing, "Mother Reading to Her Child", with pencil on paper. Pencil, even today, is an incredibly democratic medium. It's easily accessible, inexpensive, and invites both precision and ease. Ellenrieder masterfully employs these qualities. The composition is built through delicate lines, with shading that gently models the forms of the mother and child, and imbues the scene with a soft, domestic intimacy. The visible strokes, the artist's hand evident in the work, remind us of the labor involved in creating even seemingly simple images. Pencil's capacity for correction and adjustment is also evident, suggesting a process of refinement and care. Ellenrieder, who was associated with the Nazarene movement, would have seen drawing as a fundamental skill, connecting her to a lineage of artistic practice. The simplicity of the medium underscores the universal theme of maternal love and education. By embracing such accessible materials, Ellenrieder transcends the boundaries of high art, creating a tender scene.