Formal Art Critique

Müller, Richard, Auf Freuersfuessen [Courting, or Looking for a Wife] (1914). Etching (56.6 x 44.5 cm)

     Müller's achromatic piece displays an unusual pair, a woman and a bird (perhaps a heron). The piece, entitled Auf Freursfuessen (also known as Courting, or Looking for a Wife), is an etching on paper from 1914 that derives from a series of prints. This is edition, number 191, was created by a steel faced plate. Müller draws a variety of detailed figures and objects. One of the most commanding focal points is the nude. The young woman, stands tall and upright, with her right foot placed slightly in front of her left foot as she peers behind her right shoulder at her admirer. Her leg muscles are flexed, as well as her buttocks and the tendon in her foot. She holds a large bouquet of flowers across her chest that partly covers her face. Only her eyes and above can be seen to the viewer. Her dark hair is pulled back in a braided updo hairstyle. A single breast can be seen peeking through the space between her folded arms and the bouquet. Two small flowers appear at the bottom of the piece by her feet, as if they have fallen from the bouquet to what we perceive as the ground of the piece. The next focal point that demands the viewer's attention is the bird. The image of the bird is a stark contrast to the youth and beauty of the nude. The bird is hunch-backed, and his feathers lack luster. His feathers tend to stick out at odd angles. His beak is slightly ajar and his head is hung down low. His feathers appear to have an uneven and coarse texture which opposes the smooth, hairless skin of the young woman. To the left of the bird's feet lies a overturned top hat and a glove. Thick lines outline both pieces, and after a close examination the viewer may notice that the blank are actually lightly lined and shaded. The intricate and deliberate shading gives all the objects a sense of depth in this two dimensional, flat piece. Another striking detail is that the negative space surrounding the focal points is not actually blank. Müller creates a sense of depth by shading the outer edges of the piece which steadily lightens up as it approaches the center of the piece. This allows for the viewer to detect boundaries within the piece. For example although every object in the piece is floating in an expansive void, the shading and saturation create the appearance of a ground and walls that enclose the focal points.

     I was initially drawn to this etching because of the unusual subject matter: a classic beauty being courted by a beast. This theme has been around for awhile, but what's unique about Müller's piece is that instead of having a handsome beast, the bird is grotesque. Yet, despite his unsightliness he also appears dignified because of the top hat and glove that rest at his side. The title of the piece implies that the bird is courting the young woman, but, in contrast to most relationships of this nature, the young woman seems to hold the power in the relationship. Despite the fact that the bird seems dignified and wealthy, he seems bashful. On the other hand the woman seems confident and in control despite her nakedness.The interaction also implies that the woman does not judge on appearances. This piece can be viewed as a positive message that emphasizes that there is more than just external beauty and the strength and independence that women can possess in the matter of courting, which would have been a radical idea in the early 1900s.