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Two Girls under a Cloak

David, Sir Wilkie

1813

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Two Girls under a Cloak is a 1813 chalk by David, Sir Wilkie, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: David, Sir Wilkie
When & what style?: 1813 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two small figures huddled together under a large, flowing cloak. Their faces are soft and blurred, almost like they’re melting into the paper. The lines are light and wobbly, with just a hint of pink wash adding warmth to the pale background. The artist left a lot of the paper bare, making the drawing feel quick and sketchy. It’s like they were capturing a moment more than a polished picture. Want to see more work like this? Check out Romanticism.