Le Mari sylphe

About this work

This drawing shows a woman in a flowing dress, standing on a terrace with steps behind her. She’s holding a child by the hand, and both look up, as if listening to something in the air. A potted plant sits nearby, and a hat lies on the ground. The background has a garden with trees and a distant building. The artist used fine lines and shading to fill the scene with light and shadow. The title *Le Mari sylphe* hints at a playful, almost magical story—maybe the woman is a sylph, a fairy-like spirit from old tales. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists like Gravelot built up shadows with layers of lines.