Design for a Funeral Monument
1767
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1767
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Design for a Funeral Monument is a 1767 chalk by François Boucher, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a group of figures gathered around a central bust. The people are draped in flowing robes, some holding wreaths or branches, while one figure kneels in front of the bust. The drawing is rough and layered, with dark lines and patches of white added for highlights. The paper looks worn, and the artist used chalk and graphite to build up the forms. This style suggests they were working quickly, maybe planning a bigger project. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create drama in art.
