Artwork
Paris: The Old Lunatic
Paris: The Old Lunatic is a print by Ernest Haskell. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The artist didn’t smooth out the strokes—every fold and wrinkle is messy, like they were drawn fast.
This sketch shows a tired-looking man standing with his hands clasped in front of him. His coat is drawn in quick, rough lines, and his pants look baggy. The artist didn’t smooth out the strokes—every fold and wrinkle is messy, like they were drawn fast.
The sketch feels urgent, like the artist caught a moment before the man sat down. The lines around his face and hands are especially loose, almost like scribbles.
Want to see more sketches like this? Check out Ernest Haskell (American, 1876–1925).
Overview
Paris: The Old Lunatic is a print by Ernest Haskell, created in 1910. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts an elderly man standing with his hands clasped together, conveying a sense of weariness. The subject's posture and facial expression suggest a moment of quiet contemplation or resignation.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by loose, expressive lines that capture the texture of the subject's clothing and the folds of his skin. The artist's rapid, unrefined strokes convey a sense of spontaneity and immediacy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ernest Haskell was an American artist and illustrator, internationally famous in his lifetime and remembered for his etchings, as well as engravings, pen-and-ink drawings, lithographs and watercolors.
