Under the Hammer

About this work

This sketch shows a crowd of people gathered around a horse tied to a post. The scene looks like an outdoor market or fair, with people dressed in old-fashioned clothes—coats, hats, and boots. Some are watching the horse, while others stand in groups, chatting or looking around. The paper is covered in a grid, which the artist likely used to plan the drawing carefully. The horse is the main focus, but the people’s faces and postures give the scene a busy, lively feel. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.