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Study for "Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler" (recto); Study for "Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler" (verso)

Edwin, Sir Landseer

1820

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Study for "Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler" (recto); Study for "Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler" (verso) is a 1820 graphite by Edwin, Sir Landseer, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Edwin, Sir Landseer
When & what style?: 1820 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two dogs attending to a person lying on the ground. The dogs are positioned on either side of the person, with one dog's head resting on the person's chest and the other dog's head tilted upwards. The person is depicted in a state of distress, with their body contorted and their limbs splayed outwards. The sketch is rendered in graphite and brown ink on laid paper, with bold lines and expressive brushstrokes that convey a sense of energy and movement. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a dramatic contrast between light and dark, adding depth and tension to the scene. The sketch is a study for a larger work, and its rough, unfinished quality suggests that it was created quickly and spontaneously. To learn more about the artist's techniques and style, explore the works of Landseer, Edwin, Sir.