A Gardener and a Gentleman
Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non
1745
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non
1745
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows two men in a relaxed, slightly awkward pose. One sits with his legs crossed, wearing loose clothes and a fancy wig. The other stands, leaning on a stick, with a big hat and a loose shirt. Both look like they’re just hanging out, but their bodies don’t quite match their calm faces. In the corner, a small figure kneels, maybe trimming something. The lines are quick and rough, almost like a hurried sketch. The artist used lots of overlapping strokes to fill in shadows, giving it texture. This style makes the figures feel alive but unfinished. Next, check out the technique: cross-hatching to see how artists build depth with lines.
