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Man Flailing

Felix Octavius Carr Darley

1854

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Man Flailing is a 1854 graphite by Felix Octavius Carr Darley, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Felix Octavius Carr Darley
When & what style?: 1854 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows three rough-looking men in a dim, cluttered room. One man in the center is struggling to hold a long pole, his face twisted in effort. Another leans against a wall, arms crossed, while the third sits on the floor, head down. The walls are bare, and the light is weak, casting shadows everywhere. The artist used quick, messy lines to show movement and tension. The scene feels raw and unfinished, like a snapshot of a moment rather than a polished work. Want to see more sketches like this? Look up Darley, Felix Octavius Carr.