Artwork

Study for The Siege of Gibraltar

Study for The Siege of Gibraltar, by John Singleton Copley, 1786
Study for The Siege of Gibraltar, by John Singleton Copley, 1786

Study for The Siege of Gibraltar is a drawing by the Romanticist artist John Singleton Copley. It dates from 1786 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Study for The Siege of Gibraltar is a drawing created by John Singleton Copley around 1786. It is a preparatory work for a larger history painting and is now held in the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a man ascending a rope, his body twisted in a dynamic pose. The scene is related to the Great Siege of Gibraltar, a significant military event during the American Revolutionary War.

Technique & Style

Copley's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of dynamic movement, with the dark figure of the climber set against a muted grey-blue background. The contrast between light and dark tones emphasizes the physicality of the scene.

Artist & collection

Portrait of John Singleton Copley

Artist

John Singleton Copley

John Singleton Copley (July 3, 1738 – September 9, 1815) was an American-born British painter active in both the Thirteen Colonies and England.

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