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Study of Two Female Figures in Arched Border

Charles Sprague Pearce

1894

gouache

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Architectural

Dominant colour

Study of Two Female Figures in Arched Border 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 sketch shows two women standing under a curved archway. One wears a white dress, the other a light blue one. The arch has a framed space above them with small shapes—maybe letters or symbols—and the walls on either side look like they’re made of stone or plaster. The women’s poses are loose, almost like quick notes rather than a finished drawing. The paper has measurements and small sketches in the corners, hinting this was a planning study. Next, check out watercolor to see how artists use thin, layered washes to build up color.