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Drawing on Brown Paper

Benjamin Haydon

1850

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Drawing on Brown Paper is a 1850 by Benjamin Haydon, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Benjamin Haydon
When & what style?: 1850
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketch shows four men in a dim, shadowy space. The oldest man stands in the center, holding a curved object like a shield, his beard long and wild. To his right, a younger man bends over, gripping a spear. On the left, another man stands with his back turned, his arm raised. In the background, a fourth figure holds a helmet and looks away. The drawing uses only brown tones, with thick lines and no color. The paper looks rough, almost like the artist worked fast. The figures’ muscles and poses suggest movement, but the scene feels quiet. Look up cross-hatching next to see how artists build shadows with lines.