A Funeral Procession

A Funeral Procession

Thomas Rowlandson

1808

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a long line of people walking behind two black horse-drawn carriages. Some folks are standing, others are riding, and a few hold umbrellas. In the background, there’s a big tree, a fancy building, and a distant dome. The scene looks busy but calm, with lots of tiny details like hats and walking sticks. The artist used soft brown and gray ink with light watercolor to keep it simple and sketchy. The loose lines make it feel like a quick, lively snapshot rather than a polished drawing. Next, check out watercolor, glazing to see how artists build up colors like this.

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