Study for a Border Design
1894
gouache
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Charles Sprague Pearce
Charles Sprague Pearce (1851–1914) was an American artist, born in Boston.
See the richer artist page1894
gouache
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Study for a Border Design is a 1894 gouache by Charles Sprague Pearce, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows a cluster of stylized leaves and flowers arranged in a loose, diagonal shape. The colors are flat and bright—green leaves, red centers, and a soft tan background. The edges of the shapes are uneven, almost like they were sketched quickly. The artist used a mix of gouache (a type of paint) and pencil to create this loose, sketchy look. It feels like a quick study rather than a finished piece. Next, check out the technique: gouache to see how it’s different from other paints.
Charles Sprague Pearce (1851–1914) was an American artist, born in Boston.
See the richer artist page
![Studies for a Lunette [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/07c43c96c8ad1d74/thumb.webp)
