1921
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Study of General Louis Botha for "General Officers of World War I" is a 1921 graphite by John Singer Sargent, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows General Louis Botha standing with his arms crossed, dressed in military attire. He looks thoughtful, with a serious expression. The artist likely drew this to practice before painting a larger work, which is a common technique used by many artists to get a feel for their subject. The sketch is interesting because it shows the general's personality, which is not always easy to do with just a simple drawing. The details of his uniform and face are well-done, suggesting the artist spent a lot of time on this. You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: 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.
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