Artwork
Studies of Figural Groups
Studies of Figural Groups is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist William Sidney Mount. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
William Sidney Mount’s 1866 drawing titled Studies of Figural Groups is executed in graphite on wove paper. The work consists of a series of preparatory sketches that explore the arrangement and interaction of multiple human figures, reflecting Mount’s interest in composition and narrative development.
Technique & Style
The artist employs graphite to render delicate line work and tonal variations, allowing for quick adjustments and a focus on form rather than color. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that supports fine detail, characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century academic drawing practices.
History & Provenance
Created in the later period of Mount’s career, the drawing serves as a study for larger compositions. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece remains part of the documented oeuvre that illustrates Mount’s preparatory methods during the 1860s.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Sidney Mount (November 26, 1807 – November 19, 1868) was a 19th-century American genre painter.
