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Drapery Study (verso)

Dutch 17th Century

1631

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Drapery Study (verso) is a 1631 chalk by Dutch 17th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Dutch 17th Century
When & what style?: 1631 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a loose, swirling pile of fabric in warm brown tones. The lines are soft and uneven, like someone quickly jotting down folds of cloth. The paper has a yellowish tint and looks old, with small spots scattered across it. The artist used red chalk, adding a few darker strokes to define shadows. This kind of sketch was often done to practice how light and shadow fall on objects—like a quick note before a bigger painting. Next, check out Baroque to see how artists used movement and drama in their work.