Artwork

Double-Handled Vase

Double-Handled Vase, by Jacques-Louis David, oil, 1778
Double-Handled Vase, by Jacques-Louis David, oil, 1778

Double-Handled Vase is an oil drawing by the Neoclassicist artist Jacques-Louis David. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Double-Handled Vase is a drawing by Jacques-Louis David, created in 1778, using transfer tracing on oiled laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a simple double-handled vase on a table, serving as a study of light and shadow on a rounded form.

Technique & Style

David employed transfer tracing to explore the representation of three-dimensional shapes using linear techniques, examining the interplay between light, shadow, and form.

Context

This drawing is one of David's smaller, more intimate works, distinct from his larger historical compositions, showcasing his attention to detail and technique.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacques-Louis David

Artist

Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris on 30 August 1748 into a bourgeois family; his father died in a duel when the boy was nine, and a maternal uncle guided his education.

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