Recto: Three monks; verso: Slight sketch of a woman reclining, above: The lower portion of another figure
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This drawing shows three robed monks standing in a loose line, their heads bowed. The lines are scratchy and uneven, like quick sketches. One monk’s robe has a hood pulled up, while the others stand with their hands folded or slightly raised. The paper is worn, with faint marks and smudges showing through. On the back, there’s a lighter sketch of a reclining woman and part of another figure—almost like the artist was testing ideas. Try looking up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layers of lines.
![Figures Deciphering an Inscription, with Two Women Seated [Study for Oeuvres de Bossuet, IV]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/24638de2183fad9c/thumb.webp)
