Who painted Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso]?

Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso] was painted by Emanuel Leutze in 1849.

Where can I see Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso]?

Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso]?

Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso]

Emanuel Leutze , 1849

Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso] is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Emanuel Leutze. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, a German‑born painter who worked in the United States, produced this graphite study in 1849.

About this work

Overview

Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, a German‑born painter who worked in the United States, produced this graphite study in 1849. Executed on wove paper, the work records a half‑length figure holding a pole, serving as a preparatory sketch rather than a finished composition.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing captures a single, partially rendered figure positioned with a vertical staff, suggesting a pose that may have been intended for a larger narrative scene. The limited detail focuses attention on the figure’s posture and the relationship between the body and the pole, typical of compositional planning.

Technique & Style

Leutze employed graphite to model form through line and shading, using the smooth surface of wove paper to achieve subtle tonal variations. The sketch reflects the academic training of the Düsseldorf school, emphasizing precise draftsmanship and a clear, controlled hand.

History & Provenance

Created early in Leutze’s career, the study predates his later, more celebrated historical paintings. It remains a testament to his preparatory process, though its ownership history after the artist’s studio is not extensively documented.