“Portrait of Hedwig Hagemann” is a charcoal drawing created in 1903 by the German artist Paula Modersohn-Becker. Executed in the Expressionist style, the artwork measures 23.5 x 34.5 cm and belongs to the portrait genre. The artwork depicts a young woman named Hedwig Hagemann, whose likeness is captured in a poised and serene manner.
In the artwork, the subject is portrayed with delicate and nuanced features set against a softly sketched coastal background, where boats dot the horizon. The minimalistic use of lines and shades skillfully conveys the textures and forms, allowing the viewer to focus on the expressive quality of the subject’s face. Hedwig Hagemann appears contemplative, her slight smile and distant gaze drawing the observer into a moment frozen in time. The overall composition, while simple, elicits an emotional response characteristic of Expressionist works, emphasizing the inner personality and mood of the subject over physical accuracy.
