North German Girl

Otto Mäkilä's 'North German Girl' is a compelling graphite drawing that offers a glimpse into the artist's early work, though the listed year of 1915 is notably early for an artist born in 1904. If the date is accurate, it would mean Mäkilä created this piece at the tender age of eleven, suggesting either an exceptional prodigy or a potential misdating. Regardless, the work demonstrates a command of graphite and stumping, a technique used to create soft, blended tones and shadows. Mäkilä's broader oeuvre, as seen in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection, often explores themes of human experience, sometimes with a raw or melancholic edge, as evidenced by works like 'Pimp and Whore' and the 'Death and Resurrection' series. While 'North German Girl' presents a more subdued subject, the delicate rendering and the thoughtful gaze of the sitter hint at the psychological depth that would characterize his later, more expressionistic works. The use of cream laid paper adds a warmth to the monochromatic medium, enhancing the subtle textures and contours of the portrait.