1851
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Untitled is a 1851 graphite by Russell Smith, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a simple inkwell with a quill pen resting inside, placed on a plain surface. Behind it, a rough drawing of a building with a balcony and chimney appears faded and sketchy. The colors are muted—soft blues, browns, and a touch of red—with quick, uneven brushstrokes. The artist signed it "Russell Smith" and dated it January 27, 1851, in the corner. The loose, almost hurried lines suggest this might’ve been a quick study rather than a polished work. Check out watercolor, glazing to see how artists build depth with thin, layered washes.
William Thompson Russell Smith (Glasgow, Scotland 1812 – Glenside, PA, 1896) was a Scottish-American painter who produced iconic images of Pennsylvania's landscape inspired by the aesthetic of the Hudson River School.
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