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Studies for Jewelry Designs [recto]

Beatrix Godwin Whistler

1801

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Studies for Jewelry Designs [recto] is a 1801 graphite by Beatrix Godwin Whistler, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Beatrix Godwin Whistler
When & what style?: 1801 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows quick, loose drawings of jewelry—rings, a brooch, and a necklace—all scribbled in pencil on a flat paper. Some pieces look like they’re tangled in lines, while others are just rough circles with stems. One ring has a simple stone, and another piece has a flower-like shape. The lines are uneven, like the artist was drawing fast or experimenting. These sketches were made to plan real jewelry designs, not just as art. The artist used light pencil strokes, leaving the paper mostly blank except for the basic shapes. Want to see more of this artist’s work? Check out Whistler, Beatrix Godwin.