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Seated Youth with a Staff

William Etty

1815

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Seated Youth with a Staff is a 1815 graphite by William Etty, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: William Etty
When & what style?: 1815 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a young person sitting sideways, holding a long staff upright in one hand. Their body is turned slightly away, with one arm resting on their knee. The clothes are loose, with a draped cloth over one shoulder. The background is plain, letting the figure stand out. The sketch uses soft brown tones with white highlights to give shape and light. The artist left some edges rough, like the staff and the person’s hair, making it feel quick and alive. Next, look up Etty, William to see more of his loose, expressive drawings.