121 - L. THIERSCH (1825-1909), Study on women, 1846, Pencil

L. THIERSCH (1825-1909), Study on women, 1846, Pencil Ludwig Thiersch (1825 Munich - 1909 ibid.): Women's study, 1846, Pencil Technique: Pencil on Paper Inscription: Lower right monogrammed: "L. Th.". Lower right dated: "1846". Date: 1846 Description: Ludwig Thiersch first studied sculpture in Munich in Ludwig Schwanthaler's class, only to switch to painting after a short time, which was probably suggested to him by Schwanthaler himself. This was followed by a long training in drawing techniques through tracing plaster casts of antique statues and draperies. But model and nude studies were also permitted at the Munich Academy at that time, from which the young students could only profit. Soon Thiersch was allowed to join Schnorr von Carolsfeld's Componir class and spent three years there, which proved to be extremely fruitful. In 1846, the year in which the Frauenstudie was written, Thiersch, together with his friend Carl Theodor von Piloty, became pupils of Henrich Maria Heß, who, like Schnorr von Carolsfeld, belonged to the Nazarene circle. All these stages of his training can be seen in the pencil study. A young woman, resembling a mythological goddess, assumes a pensive pose, wrapped in a coverlet resembling a himation. The line plays a dominant role in this drawing, although at the same time Thiersch seeks to perfect the modelling through shadowing. Despite the stylised costume, drawing from a living model is evident here, whose body is visible under the garment. When Ludwig Thiersch was born in 1825 as the son of the Munich university professor Friedrich Wilhelm von Thiersch, Julius Schnorr had already belonged to the Lukasbund for eight years. A whole generation separated Thiersch from the Nazarenes, and yet he remained true to his great models throughout his oeuvre. Today he is dignified by scholars to be called a late Nazarene. (Ludwig Thiersch. Study Sheets, Drafts, Preliminary Studies. Catalogue of the exhibition at Kelkheim Town Hall (26 February - 13 March 1983); S. Heidemarie Schade, Ludwig Thiersch (1825 - 1909). Oil Studies and Drawings of a Late Nazarene. Catalogue for the exhibition at the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum (30 September - 18 November 1979), Aachen 1979). Verso: Landscape study, dated: 20 July"" Keywords: Late Nazarene, study sheet, portrait, figure, lady, fashion, robe, 19th century, Romanticism, Portraits, Germany, Size: Paper: 18,9 cm x 24,0 cm (7,4 x 9,4 in) Condition: Good condition. Slightly discoloured along the edges due to age and sporadically minimally spotted.