Statue of Abundance [recto]

Hubert Robert

1760

chalk

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a draped figure standing sideways, holding a cornucopia in one hand. The drawing is loose and quick, with soft shading to suggest folds in the cloth. The figure’s head is covered, and the lines are light, almost like a first try at a bigger work. The artist focused on the flow of the fabric, not perfect details. This style was common in early studies before painting. Check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth.