Open full image Pin

Study for a Border Design

Charles Sprague Pearce

1894

gouache

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Study for a Border Design is a 1894 gouache 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 painting shows a row of stylized leaves and berries along a tan border. The leaves are painted in bright greens, yellows, and reds, with some white outlines. The background is a mix of warm browns and soft reds, giving it a cozy, almost autumnal feel. The brushstrokes are loose and quick, like sketches that weren’t fully finished. This style was common in studies meant to explore shapes and colors before a bigger project. If you like this loose, colorful approach, look up gouache to see how it’s different from other painting methods.