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Study of Hands Knitting [recto]

Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr.

1880

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Study of Hands Knitting [recto] is a 1880 graphite by Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr., a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr.
When & what style?: 1880 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a pair of hands knitting, with the fingers curled around the needles and yarn. The hands are rendered in a range of values, from light to dark, creating a sense of volume and texture. The artist has used a range of lines and hatching techniques to capture the intricate details of the hands and the fabric they are working with. The sketch is executed in graphite on gray laid paper, which gives it a soft, muted quality. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds depth and dimension to the image. The sketch is a beautiful example of the artist's skill and attention to detail. For more information on the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up the technique.