Study of a Pleated Skirt

The surprising truncated effect of this drawing, in which a pleated skirt illogically stands on its own, indicates that Hans Brosamer probably drew it on a live model and simply omitted the body. As this drapery study does not relate to any known painting or print by Brosamer, he probably drew it for his own interest and practical experience.

Brosamer's practice of drawing objects from life and his use of contemporary clothing as subject matter show that he was abreast of the artistic trends of his own period. At the same time, his tendency to treat individual pieces of drapery as self-contained outlined forms illustrates his delight in the complex folds of cloth alone. In a closely hatched style, Brosamer detailed not only the intricate pleated effect of the folds but also the bunching pattern as it hits the ground.