Maniere d'exposer les nobles apres leur mort
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Maniere d'exposer les nobles apres leur mort is a 1752 ink by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a crowded indoor scene with people in long robes, some standing and others seated. At the back, a group of figures in tall hats and flowing clothes stand on a raised platform, while below, a few people—including a child—watch from the front. The lines are loose and quick, with lots of shading and scribbled details. The title means "The way to display nobles after their death," suggesting this might be a funeral or memorial scene. The artist used ink to build up dark areas, layering lines to create shadows and texture. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists like this one build depth with lines.
