Bird-Cages, Drury Lane
1887
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1887
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a dimly lit room with a woman standing under a shelf. The shelf holds three birdcages—two empty, one with a bird inside. The woman’s face is blurred, and the room looks simple, with rough lines and shading. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to focus on shapes and light. This style fits the Impressionist way of capturing moments simply. Look up etching to see how artists like Whistler made prints like this.