Who painted Sketch of two men with large machinery?

Sketch of two men with large machinery was painted by Daniel Maclise in 1825.

Where can I see Sketch of two men with large machinery?

Sketch of two men with large machinery is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Sketch of two men with large machinery?

Sketch of two men with large machinery is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Sketch of two men with large machinery

Daniel Maclise , 1825

Sketch of two men with large machinery is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Daniel Maclise. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This pencil drawing by Daniel Maclise captures a brief, dynamic scene of two men working aboard a small vessel. The composition is concise, focusing on the figures and the surrounding apparatus rather than elaborate background detail.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch portrays one figure bent over, gesturing toward a sizable metal tank equipped with pipes and a lamp, while his companion sits lower, cradling a round object and looking upward. The presence of ropes and pulleys suggests a labor‑intensive task, hinting at industrial or engineering activity on the water.

Technique & Style

Maclise employs light, rapid pencil strokes that convey both motion and tension. The lines remain loose and gestural, emphasizing the immediacy of the moment rather than precise rendering, and the overall effect is one of a quick visual note taken on site.

History & Provenance

The work belongs to a larger assemblage of 390 drawings and sketches displayed in a pillar stand of thirty frames at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This grouping includes pieces by artists such as Calderon, T.S. Cooper, and Landseer, and features a range of figures, landscapes, and occasional portraits of literary and public personalities.

Context

Within the museum’s collection, Maclise’s sketch sits among varied subjects, illustrating the breadth of 19th‑century drawing practices. Its industrial theme reflects contemporary interest in mechanisation, while its informal execution aligns with the era’s practice of producing preparatory studies for larger works.

Artist & collection

Artist

Daniel Maclise

Daniel Maclise (25 January 1806 – 25 April 1870) was an Irish history painter, literary and portrait painter, and illustrator, who worked for most of his life in London, England.