Servants
1780
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1780
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Servants is a 1780 ink by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows twelve people dressed in old-fashioned servant clothes. They’re standing in three rows, each person turned sideways. Some hold tools like brooms or dustpans, others carry bundles or wear aprons. The lines are simple but full of tiny details—buttons, hats, and the way their coats fold. Notice how the artist made each person look different, even in similar outfits. This wasn’t just a quick sketch—it was meant to show real variety in how servants dressed. Want to see more by this artist? Check out Chodowiecki, Daniel Nikolaus.
