1839
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Nelson Mathewson is a 1839 graphite by William Sidney Mount, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a man in a dark coat and bow tie, facing forward with a slight smile. His hair is neatly combed, and the lines are soft, almost sketchy. The background is plain, keeping all focus on his face and upper body. The artist used quick, loose strokes—like a quick pencil drawing—rather than smooth shading. This style makes the portrait feel lively and a bit unfinished. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow for drama.
William Sidney Mount (November 26, 1807 – November 19, 1868) was a 19th-century American genre painter.
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