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Study for an Archway

Charles Sprague Pearce

1894

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Landscape

Dominant colour

Study for an Archway 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 a half-finished scene with a bridge curving over a body of water. On the right, two pale figures stand under a dark archway, their arms raised as if reaching upward. The background is loose, with quick strokes of trees and a blurry sky, while the left side has faint pencil lines for a fence and distant posts. The painting feels unfinished on purpose—like a quick note to remember shapes and light. The watercolor is thin in spots, letting the tan paper show through. Next, check out watercolor to see how artists use wet paint to layer colors.