A Gothic Arch

A Gothic Arch

John Skinner Prout

1841

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a tall, pointed archway with intricate stone carvings and a small door inside. Around the base, a few people stand or sit, some under umbrellas, while others gather near the entrance. The drawing is loose and quick, with lots of shading to show depth and texture. Notice how the artist used light and shadow to make the stone look solid and detailed, even though it’s just ink on paper. The people below seem small in comparison, which makes the arch feel even grander. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists create shading like this.

More by John Skinner Prout

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app