The Silk Dress
1873
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1873
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman in a long, flowing dress with a high collar and a hat. The lines are loose and quick, giving the fabric a wavy, almost liquid look. Her pose is simple—one hand rests on her hip, the other hangs by her side. The artist used a drypoint tool, which left scratchy, textured marks on the paper. This technique makes the dress look almost like it’s moving. Next, look up drypoint to see how artists create similar effects.
