A Moorish Soldier before a Sunlit Wall
1878
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1878
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Moorish Soldier before a Sunlit Wall is a 1878 graphite by Giuseppe Signorini, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a man in a loose, flowing robe with a patterned sash and tall boots. He’s holding a long staff in one hand and pointing outward with the other. His face is serious, with a dark hat pulled low over his forehead. The background is just a plain, light wall with a faint shadow on the ground. The artist used quick, loose brushstrokes—some areas are barely there, while others pop with color. The mix of watercolor and pencil gives it a sketchy, unfinished feel, like a quick study. Next, check out watercolor to see how artists use thin layers of paint to create light and movement.
