Artwork
Two Chinese Pigs
Two Chinese Pigs is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Samuel Howitt. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Two Chinese Pigs, executed in 1794 by English illustrator Samuel Howitt, is a drawing rendered with a gray wash applied over graphite on wove paper. The work measures a modest size typical of Howitt’s preparatory studies and presents a straightforward composition of two domestic swine.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a pair of stout pigs positioned nose‑to‑nose on a grassy patch, their bristled coats highlighted by crisp strokes that catch the light. A low fence and a scattering of leaves suggest a simple rural setting, emphasizing the animals’ natural behavior and interaction.
Technique & Style
Howitt employs a rapid, gestural graphite sketch complemented by a muted gray wash, a method characteristic of his animal studies. The loose, energetic lines convey a sense of immediacy, while the wash adds tonal depth without obscuring the underlying drawing.
History & Provenance
Created as part of Howitt’s extensive output for natural‑history publications, the drawing reflects his role as a prolific illustrator of fauna in the late eighteenth century. It was likely produced as a study for inclusion in a printed work on domestic animals.
Context
During the 1790s, there was growing public interest in scientific illustration and the documentation of animal species. Howitt’s work contributed to this trend, providing detailed yet lively representations that served both educational and aesthetic purposes.
Artist & collection
