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Coney Island Boardwalk, by William Glackens, ink, 1908

Coney Island Boardwalk

William Glackens

1908

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Coney Island Boardwalk is a 1908 ink by William Glackens, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
William Glackens
When & what style?
1908
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a busy boardwalk packed with people. Some are walking, others are sitting or standing in groups. A few carry umbrellas, and there’s a sign for a photo studio in the background. The artist used quick, loose lines to draw the scene, giving it a lively, almost rushed feel. Notice how the artist layered lines to create shadows and texture—this is called cross-hatching. It’s a way to add depth without using many colors. If you like this style, check out the technique: cross-hatching for more examples.

About the artist

More by William Glackens

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