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Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso]

Benjamin West

1778

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso] is a 1778 chalk by Benjamin West, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Benjamin West
When & what style?: 1778 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two rough scenes drawn in black chalk. One side has a group of people gathered around a figure striking a rock with a staff. The other side shows a long line of people walking, some carrying objects. The lines are loose and quick, like hurried notes. The paper looks old, with a faint texture you can almost feel. The artist didn’t smooth out the strokes—it’s more about movement than detail. Next, check out National Gallery of Art, Washington to see more sketches like this.