1924
charcoal
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Study for "The Danaïdes" is a 1924 charcoal by John Singer Sargent, held at National Gallery of Art.
This charcoal sketch shows two twisting female figures draped in flowing robes. Their bodies bend and twist, limbs caught mid-motion. Sargent uses soft lines to blur edges, making the fabric look real. It’s a study for a bigger painting. He worked out how light hits the folds and how bodies move together. The poses feel urgent, like the women are struggling or dancing. Check out how he layers the charcoal to create shadows. It’s called scumbling. Look up Sargent, John Singer.
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.
See the richer artist page
![Study of Drapery [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/af011b294c02210f/thumb.webp)
