Two Studies of Virgil

About this work

This sketch shows two figures drawn in loose, quick lines. One person is dressed in a flowing robe, their arm extended as if guiding the other. The other figure stands bare-chested, facing slightly away, with one hand resting on their hip. The paper is light, almost like a first draft, with some smudges and faint pencil marks. Notice how the artist didn’t smooth out every line—some strokes are rough, others confident. The figures look like they’re mid-motion, caught in a moment. Next, look up Ingres, Jean-Auguste-Dominique to see how he worked in other sketches.