1918
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Motorcycle is a 1918 graphite by John Singer Sargent, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a vintage motorcycle from the front. It has a fender, wheel, handlebars, and headlight. The artist drew it with precision using graphite. The detail in this drawing is interesting because it shows the artist's skill. It also reflects the early 20th-century fascination with machines. To learn more about the artist's use of shading, look up the technique: sfumato.
John Singer Sargent (; January 12, 1856 – April 15, 1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Belle Époque and Edwardian-era luxury.
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