The Dead Caesar
1859
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1859
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a body lying on its back, wrapped in a draped cloth. The head is slightly turned, and one arm rests outside the cloth. The lines are loose and quick, like a rough draft. The artist focused on the shape of the fabric and the stillness of the pose. This was drawn around 1859, when artists were exploring realism. Next, check out Realism to see how this style changed how artists depicted everyday life.
![Man Reclining on the Ground and the Corner of a Bed [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/3e054816ddd681bf/thumb.webp)
