1894
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Standing Woman Leaning on Her Elbow is a 1894 chalk by French 19th Century, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a woman standing with one arm resting on her elbow, her head tilted slightly. She’s drawn in a loose, flowing style, with soft lines shaping her body and a long, draped cloth around her legs. The paper has a warm, aged look, and the artist used light shading to show folds in the fabric and curves of her skin. The drawing feels quick and rough, like a study rather than a finished piece. The artist mixed black and white chalk to add depth without heavy detail. This style was common in the 1800s when artists often sketched ideas before painting. Next, check out technique: sfumato to see how artists used soft blending like this.
This sculptor liked to keep sharp tools in the studio and blunt ones in his pocket—his niece recalled finding him absentmindedly whittling a stick while talking philosophy.
See the richer artist page
