1845
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
C'etais "pour se donner des forces" is a 1845 ink by Paul Gavarni, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a tired man slumped on a bench, his head bowed and hands covering his face. His clothes are loose, and his posture looks heavy, like he’s exhausted. The background is simple—just a few lines for a bench and some faint shapes on the ground. The title written at the bottom means *"It was to gather strength."* The artist used quick, sketchy lines and shading to show the man’s weariness. Next, look into cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layers of lines.
Paul Gavarni was the pen name of Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier (13 January 1804 – 24 November 1866), a French illustrator, born in Paris.
See the richer artist page
