Artistic Appreciation

This is a quintessential example of Menzel's back-view figure studies, and a demonstration of how much expressive and formal interest he could extract from a subject that most artists would consider peripheral. The composition is rigorously vertical — a single column of a figure rising through the center of the sheet — with the top hat in the left hand and the cane on the right serving as small but important counterpoints that break the pure verticality and give the figure specific character. Menzel's understanding of anatomy beneath clothing is evident: the structure of the shoulders, the back, and the legs is implied through the fall of the fabric rather than explicitly shown. The drapery is handled with great sophistication — long, flowing lines describe the major folds, while finer hatching articulates the smaller creases and the texture of the fabric. The lighting from the upper left creates a clear three-dimensionality, with the left side of the coat catching the light and the right side falling into shadow. On gray toned paper, Menzel works with both darker and lighter media to build up the form with great efficiency. What is most remarkable is that despite the absence of a face, the figure has a distinct personality and presence — we feel we know something about this man from his posture, his clothing, and the way he holds his hat and cane. This is the essence of Menzel's realism: he finds character and meaning in the most everyday observations. ---