Artwork
Original sketch of a female figure
Original sketch of a female figure is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Gustave Doré. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Original sketch of a female figure is a drawing created by Gustave Doré in 1850, executed in pen and pencil and signed by the artist in pencil.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman dressed in a long, flowing dress with a high collar and wide sleeves, adorned with a hat featuring a brim and a feather or bow. The subject's attire suggests a mid-19th-century setting.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, quick lines, the sketch has a rough, unfinished appearance. Doré emphasized shape over detail, using simple strokes to imply fabric folds and movement, consistent with the rapid execution typical of preliminary studies.
History & Provenance
Created in 1850, the drawing is signed in pencil by Gustave Doré, attesting to its authorship. Further provenance details are not provided.
Context
The drawing's style, with its emphasis on expressive lines and suggested forms, reflects the practices of quick sketching common among artists of the period for capturing fleeting impressions or exploring composition.
Legacy
As a preliminary work, this sketch offers insight into Doré's creative process, though its broader impact or exhibition history is not specified.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré was a French printmaker, illustrator, painter, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor.
