Artwork

House

House, by Seth Wells Cheney, graphite, 1838
House, by Seth Wells Cheney, graphite, 1838

House is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Seth Wells Cheney. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

House is a graphite drawing on wove paper created by Seth Wells Cheney around 1838, featuring a detailed, sketchy representation of a residential building.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing focuses on a single, aged house with a gabled roof, balcony, door, and several windows, conveying a sense of wear and weathering through its depiction.

Technique & Style

Characterized by visible pencil marks and shading, the work exhibits a meticulous yet sketchy approach, highlighting intricate architectural details such as carvings on the door and windows.

Context

While the drawing's immediate surroundings are not shown, its emphasis on detail and emotional suggestion aligns with aspects of the Romanticism movement, which often valued nuanced, expressive renderings of the natural and built world.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1838 by Seth Wells Cheney, specific details about the work's history, ownership, or exhibition record before its current location are not provided in the available information.

Artist & collection

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