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Study for a Border Design

Charles Sprague Pearce

1894

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Study for a Border Design 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 looks like a rough, textured drawing in brown and gold. The lines are uneven, almost like cracks or brushstrokes, with some lighter patches showing through. It feels unfinished, with no clear shapes or figures—just a mix of dark and light marks. The gold paint stands out against the tan paper, giving it a warm, slightly old look. It’s more about texture than detail, like a design idea rather than a finished piece. If you like this style, check out Realism for more plain, detailed work.