A Dragoon on Horseback
1730
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1730
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
A Dragoon on Horseback is a 1730 ink by Charles Parrocel, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a rider on a rearing horse, both drawn in loose, confident lines. The man grips a stick and wears a fur hat and heavy coat, while the horse’s muscles tense as it lifts its front legs. The background is just swirling marks—no details, just movement. The artist used a technique called etching to create the image, where lines are scratched into a metal plate before inking. The rough edges and quick strokes give it a lively, almost sketchy feel. Look up etching to see how this process works.
