#18439 Max Klinger (1857-1920)

The drawing presents a young woman seated within what appears to be a covered enclosure or balcony. She is positioned in profile, her gaze directed outward towards a teeming landscape beyond. The figures attire consists of draped fabric that obscures the body while suggesting an archaic style, possibly referencing classical antiquity or a mythological setting. Her posture conveys a sense of quiet observation, bordering on melancholy.
The background is densely populated with animal figures rendered in a somewhat stylized and simplified manner. An elephant dominates the central space, flanked by lions, birds, and various other creatures that evoke a primordial wilderness. The animals are not arranged in a naturalistic composition; instead, they seem to be presented as a symbolic panorama of untamed nature. A few human forms are also visible within this backdrop, appearing distant and indistinct, further emphasizing the woman’s isolation.
The artist employs a monochromatic palette, relying on tonal variations to create depth and form. The use of hatching and cross-hatching is evident in detailing both the figure and the animals, contributing to a sense of texture and visual complexity. A strong contrast between light and shadow defines the scene, highlighting the woman’s face and upper body while casting the background into relative darkness.
Subtextually, the drawing seems to explore themes of civilization versus wilderness, contemplation versus action, and perhaps even the relationship between humanity and the natural world. The womans position – separated from but observing the wildness – suggests a sense of detachment or alienation. It is possible that she represents a figure caught between two realms: the ordered structure of human society and the chaotic abundance of nature. The animals, rendered as both majestic and potentially threatening, could symbolize primal instincts or forces beyond human control. The overall impression is one of quiet introspection within a world brimming with untamed life.