Le dernier jour d'un condamne
1833
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1833
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a man alone in a dark cell, sitting on a low bed with his head in his hands. Around him, tiny figures watch from the windows and doors—some peeking, some pointing. Outside, a crowd of blurred, ghostly faces presses against the walls, while others kneel or reach toward him. The title at the bottom, *Le dernier jour d’un condamné*, means "The Last Day of a Condemned Man." It’s a dramatic scene about waiting for execution, drawn with rough, urgent lines. If this style intrigues you, look up etching to see how artists carve images into metal plates.
