Artwork

Study for a Border Design

Study for a Border Design, by Charles Sprague Pearce, ink, 1894
Study for a Border Design, by Charles Sprague Pearce, ink, 1894

Study for a Border Design is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Charles Sprague Pearce. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Study for a Border Design is a drawing created by Charles Sprague Pearce in 1894, executed in multiple media on brown wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two rows of stylized leaves with clusters of rounded forms, possibly representing fruit or buds, arranged in a pattern. The composition is characterized by bold, dark lines and textured areas achieved through cross-hatching.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a range of techniques, including pen and black ink, graphite, and gold paint, to achieve a balance between pattern and texture. The use of gold paint adds a warm, luminous quality to the work, while the brown paper provides a simple background.

History & Provenance

The drawing is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Artist & collection

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