Partial Sketch of a Boy in Knickers

American 19th Century

1873

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Late 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a boy standing sideways, wearing loose pants and a shirt. His arms hang relaxed, and the lines are quick and rough, like a first try. The paper has a light brown tint, and the graphite marks are darkest where the light would hit—shoulders, legs. The drawing feels unfinished, almost like a practice piece. Artists often did these quick sketches to study shapes and movement before finishing a painting. If you like this loose style, look up Romanticism next.