Woman Pastel Drawing

Woman, Pastel Drawing on Paper, 10.5” x 16.5”

This is a simple drawing using bold colors and broad areas. It portrays a woman in a blue dress which dominates the composition. There is a softness to her, she is sitting quietly, at the same time she is attentive. To the left of the main figure, is the partial figure of another woman. There is a measure of tension and determination in the portrayal of this figure.

Is she a reflection? Is she a separate being? What is the connection between the two? These questions are for you, the viewer, to think about and determine.

In this striking composition, Ednah Sarah Schwartz leaves much of the narrative open to interpretation, inviting the viewer to explore the emotional and psychological dynamics between the two figures. The woman in the blue dress, with her soft yet attentive demeanor, exudes a sense of calm and introspection, while the partial figure to her left introduces an element of ambiguity and tension.

The contrast between the figures—one fully realized and the other only partially present—creates a visual and emotional dialogue, prompting deeper questions about identity, connection, and duality. The bold use of color and the broad, uncomplicated forms allow the viewer to focus on the subtle emotional undercurrents at play, making the piece both visually simple yet thematically complex. Schwartz skillfully merges the figurative and abstract, encouraging contemplation on the relationships that define and shape us, whether internal or external.