Gentleman Seen from Behind
1638
graphite
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1638
graphite
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Gentleman Seen from Behind is a 1638 graphite by Pieter Jansz Quast, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a man from behind, dressed in fancy 17th-century clothes. He’s wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a feather, a ruffled shirt, and baggy pants with lace trim. One hand rests on a walking stick, and the other holds a loose piece of fabric. The drawing is quick and sketchy, focusing on the clothes and posture rather than detail. The lines are light but confident, giving a sense of movement. Want to see more work like this? Check out the Baroque movement.
