297 - F. ERLER (1868-1940), Girl wearing a traditional bonnet, Pencil

F. ERLER (1868-1940), Girl wearing a traditional bonnet, Pencil Fritz Erler (1868 Frankenstein/Silesia - 1940 Munich): Portrait of a girl with a traditional costume bonnet, 20th century, Pencil Technique: Pencil on Paper Inscription: lower left signed: "Fritz Erler". Verso inscribed by the artist's hand: "Sonntags gezeichnet, beim Kartoffelschälen in ([..]). der Haubenrand ultramarin blau, schön kontrastierend zu dem tiefen ([..]) Braun des Gesichts u. der gelben Bordüren d. Brust ([..])". Date: 20th century Description: This drawing by Fritz Erler is evidence of a sensitive artist who is able to combine melancholy and grace. Unlike the early Art Nouveau murals and paintings of the period up to around 1914, this drawing is not about stylisation and flatness, but about emotional tracing and fathoming. The drawing also has little in common with the large-format and often theatrically staged works of the later period. It is possible that it was created at a time when Erler was often in Holzhausen am Ammersee. He was often to be found there in the 1910s. During this time he repeatedly dealt with themes and people from the rural environment. From his first illustrations for the magazine "Jugend" to his first complete works of art such as the design of the music room of the Villa Neisser in Breslau, from the founding of the artists' association "Die Scholle" to the war pictures of the First World War: Erler's art spans many areas and forms. Given this scope and the high degree of stylisation in his work, the present drawing is a wonderful expression of spontaneous artistic enthusiasm. The thin and gentle pencil strokes appear as if breathed onto the reddish paper. Very carefully he outlines the contours of the face and gently fills the shadows with a broad hatching. Even though in the inscription on the reverse he places great emphasis on the appeal of the colour harmony, it is precisely the concentration on the mere stroke that is best suited to convey the emotional empathy. Keywords: Girls, Traditional Costumes, Fashion, 20th century, Realism, Portraits, Germany, Size: Paper: 30,4 cm x 23,4 cm (12 x 9,2 in) Condition: Rather good condition. At the upper margin in the centre with a small, professionally restored hole and at the upper right margin with a small supplemented loss.