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Comic designs for dance programmes, including mock Egyptian hieroglyphs

H. E. Howard

1891

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Comic designs for dance programmes, including mock Egyptian hieroglyphs is a 1891 watercolor by H. E. Howard, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: H. E. Howard
When & what style?: 1891 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketchbook page is packed with small, lively drawings. On the left, there’s a mix of cartoony figures dancing, climbing, and marching—some even look like they’re in Egyptian-style frames. One sketch shows people walking on a tightrope, and another has boats floating on water. The colors are soft, with watery blues and earthy browns. The handwritten notes and doodles make it feel like a quick, playful record of ideas. The artist seems to be experimenting with how to turn dance steps into visual jokes, mixing humor with movement. Look up Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of this artist’s sketchbooks.