A private Marine of Col. Fourgeoud's Corps

A private Marine of Col. Fourgeoud's Corps

William Blake

1793

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a young soldier standing confidently in a military uniform. He holds a rifle with one hand and rests the other on his hip. His hat has a feather sticking up, and his jacket has buttons and a sash. In the background, there’s a small scene of a ship and a few buildings near the water. The text below says it’s a "private Marine of Col. Fourgeoud’s Corps," meaning this soldier was part of a specific military group. The style looks simple but detailed, with lines creating shadows and texture. If you like this kind of precise drawing, check out the technique: engraving.

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