Comfort in the Gout
1785
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1785
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a messy, crowded room where a man in red pants is slumped on the floor, clutching his foot. Around him, two women in fancy clothes hover—one holds a fan, the other a drink—while a servant in the background struggles with a tray. A dog lies nearby, and a half-empty teacup sits on the table. The walls are shabby, and the whole scene feels chaotic. The title *Comfort in the Gout* hints this is a joke about foot pain—notice how the man’s face is twisted in agony. The artist used loose lines and bold colors to make it look like a hurried, funny sketch. Next, check out how this was made with etching.
