Hands Holding a Sword and a Tricorn

Graff employs a loose, expressive line in charcoal to render the hands, while the sword and tricorn are delineated with white chalk, creating a luminous effect against the warm brown ground. Subtle shading and faint background marks, including a star‑like motif, add dynamism and hint at movement, aligning the piece with the emerging Romantic emphasis on emotion and gesture.

The drawing belongs to Graff’s later period, when he was renowned for portraiture of writers, composers, and rulers. Though the work is a study rather than a finished portrait, it reflects his interest in capturing character through isolated details. Its current location and ownership history remain undocumented, typical of many preparatory sketches from the era.