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Studies for Border Designs

Charles Sprague Pearce

1894

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Studies for Border Designs is a 1894 graphite by Charles Sprague Pearce, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Charles Sprague Pearce
When & what style?: 1894 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows three rows of swirling vines and leaves. The lines are loose and wobbly, like quick pencil strokes. Some leaves look half-finished, as if the artist changed their mind. These were practice drawings for a bigger design. The paper is plain, and the graphite is dark in spots, light in others. Next, check out Pearce, Charles Sprague for more of his quick sketches.