Artwork

Frightened Man Looking Up; Woman and Children

Frightened Man Looking Up; Woman and Children, by British 18th Century, ink, 1750
Frightened Man Looking Up; Woman and Children, by British 18th Century, ink, 1750

Frightened Man Looking Up; Woman and Children is an ink print by the Baroque artist British 18th Century. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Frightened Man Looking Up; Woman and Children is a lithograph on wove paper featuring two distinct, hastily drawn figures on a light background. The top figure depicts a person lying down with a worried expression, while the lower figure shows a nude individual curled up in a defensive pose.

Subject & Meaning

The subject matter conveys a sense of urgency and distress. The figures' postures and facial expressions suggest fear or anxiety, with the first figure looking up in alarm and the second curled in a protective, possibly fearful, position.

Technique & Style

The lithograph exhibits a sketchy, immediate style characterized by shaky and uneven lines, implying rapid execution. The loose, rough quality of the drawings may reflect an initial attempt to capture dynamic movement or emotional intensity.

Context

The piece showcases the expressive potential of lithography, a medium well-suited to quick, gestural drawings. The emphasis on capturing movement and emotion aligns with the artistic interests of the time, which often valued spontaneity and psychological depth.

Artist & collection

Portrait of British 18th Century

Artist

British 18th Century

This artist left small, precise pictures from 18th-century Britain—buildings, faces, and landscapes etched or drawn in ink and chalk.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.