Gleaners
1840
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1840
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows three people bent over in a field, gathering what looks like crops. Their clothes are simple, and they’re focused on their work. The background has quick, rough lines for trees and bushes, like the artist was in a hurry—or maybe just sketching fast. The drawing feels a little messy, with smudges and uneven lines. That’s because it’s graphite on paper, not paint. The artist didn’t smooth things out—it’s more like a quick study than a finished piece. Next, check out Romanticism to see how artists used emotion and nature in their work.
