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African-American Figure

James Goodwyn Clonney

1845

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

African-American Figure is a 1845 graphite by James Goodwyn Clonney, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: James Goodwyn Clonney
When & what style?: 1845 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man standing with his hands in his pockets, wearing a long coat and a hat. His posture is relaxed, and he’s holding a walking stick in his right hand. The lines are loose and quick, giving the drawing a sketchy, unfinished feel. The artist used simple graphite strokes to capture the figure’s shape and movement. The paper looks worn, which makes the drawing feel even more raw. Next, check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth.