Studies of a Standing Man and of a Head

Studies of a Standing Man and of a Head, Antoine Watteau, 1720. Museum no. CAI 258

Studies of a Standing Man and of a Head
Antoine Watteau (1684-1721)
France
1720
Red chalk on laid paper
Width 18 cm x height 31.9 cm
Museum no. CAI 258

By the 17th century sketches were popular because of the extent to which they provide insight into the artist’s thought processes. As result many artists made sketches specifically for sale. The sketches on this sheet do not relate to any of Watteau’s more finished compositions. It is likely they were drawn specifically to cater for the trade in sketches.

Architectural Capriccio

Architectural Capriccio, Antonio Canal (called Canaletto), about 1755. Museum no. E.3791-1934

Architectural Capriccio
Antonio Canal (called Canaletto)(1697-1768)
Italy
About 1755
Ink and wash over pencil on laid paper
Width 38.4 cm x height 25.1 cm
Museum no. E.3791-1934

This drawing combines certain features of Montague House, London, with imaginary structures. Many drawings mixing actual buildings with imagined ones are known for such drawings were popular with collectors.

Girl’s Head, the Face with an Expression of Pain

Girl’s Head, the Face with an Expression of Pain, attributed to Jean-Baptiste Greuze, late 18th century. Museum no. Dyce 604

Girl’s Head, the Face with an Expression of Pain
Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1726-1805)
France
Late 18th century
Black chalk with traces of heightening on grey wove paper
Width 20.4 cm x height 28.3 cm
Museum no. Dyce 604

Greuze made a great many studies of expression, some in preparation for specific paintings and others, like this sketch, as works in their own right. Known as 'têtes d’expression' they were much sought after by collectors.

Portrait of Mrs Mackie

Portrait of Mrs Mackie, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1816. Museum no. E.230-1946

Portrait of Mrs Mackie
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)
France
1816
Pencil on wove paper
Width 16.5 cm x height 17 cm
Museum no. E.230-1946
Given by Miss Winifred M. Giles in memory of her sister, Miss Alice M. Giles, through the National Art Collections Fund

Ingres made many portraits like this while in Rome. They were commissioned as works in their own right as souvenirs for the sitters.

Small Soundpiece

Small Soundpiece, Sîan Bowen, 1999. Museum no. E.359-2005

Small Soundpiece
Sîan Bowen (born 1959)
Britain
1999
Pencil on a fragment of wallpaper
Width 18 cm x height 24 cm
Museum no. E.359-2005

Maybe Icon of the Deposition

Maybe Icon of the Deposition, Deanna Petherbridge, 1984. Museum no. P.5-1985

Maybe Icon of the Deposition
Deanna Petherbridge (born 1939)
Britain
1984
Ink and washes
Width 51.4 cm x height 73 cm
Museum no. P.5-1985

Petherbridge is an example of an artist for whom drawing is her chosen medium of expression. She has said: ‘In my own work I’ve never done preliminary drawing, because it’s sometimes difficult to repeat something or to continue when the urgency’s gone. I work on drawing as a final product. It is my entire visual art practice: I eat, sleep, think, write about, and do drawing’.