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Nude with Cherubim

William Perkins Babcock

1870

charcoal

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Nude

Dominant colour

Nude with Cherubim is a 1870 charcoal by William Perkins Babcock, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: William Perkins Babcock
When & what style?: 1870 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This charcoal drawing depicts a nude woman with two cherubs. The woman is the central figure, shown from the waist up, with her head turned to the left. She has long hair and her right hand is raised to her cheek. The cherubs are positioned on either side of her, with one looking at the woman and the other looking down. The background is dark and indistinct. The drawing is rendered in a detailed and realistic style, with careful attention to the textures of the woman's skin and hair. The cherubs are also depicted in a lifelike manner, with subtle expressions on their faces. The artist's use of charcoal creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the drawing, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene. For more information on the artist's technique, look up cross-hatching.