Studies of Fountain Decorations

Emanuel Leutze

1854

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a few quick drawings on light paper. On the left, a small figure stands on a pedestal holding a scroll. To the right, a branch curves with leaves, flowers, and a bird perched on it. The lines are loose and sketchy, like quick notes for a bigger design. The artist was testing ideas for fountain decorations—notice how the figures and plants mix in one scene. The paper has a slight texture, and the pencil strokes vary from light to dark. Next, look up Romanticism to see how this style used imagination and nature in art.