The Couple in the Crowd

Ernst Barlach

1917

charcoal

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern

About this work

This sketch shows a woman sitting in a crowd, her hands folded in her lap. Around her, people stand shoulder-to-shoulder, all drawn in rough, dark lines. Their faces are blurred, but their arms and clothes are detailed, making the scene feel busy and alive. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to show movement and texture, especially in the crowd’s clothing. The woman’s face is calm compared to the swirling chaos around her. Next, check out scumbling to see how artists create shading with dry brushwork.