Who painted Study of a Scroll?

Study of a Scroll was painted by Charles Sprague Pearce in 1894.

Where can I see Study of a Scroll?

Study of a Scroll is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study of a Scroll?

Study of a Scroll is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Study of a Scroll

Charles Sprague Pearce , 1894

Study of a Scroll is a graphite 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

Charles Sprague Pearce’s 1894 drawing titled Study of a Scroll is executed in brown pencil on wove paper. The composition presents a single rolled scroll lying on a flat surface, rendered with a loose, gestural line that captures the basic curvature and the flattened end of the parchment.

Subject & Meaning

The work functions as a straightforward observational study, focusing on the form and volume of a rolled document. By isolating the scroll from any narrative context, Pearce emphasizes the object’s material qualities and the way light interacts with its surface.

Technique & Style

Pearce builds the image through a combination of fine lines and stippled dots, creating subtle tonal variations that suggest texture and depth. The use of brown pencil lends a warm tonal range, while the stippling technique allows for delicate shading without heavy cross‑hatching, reflecting a common preparatory approach for later painted works.

History & Provenance

Created in 1894, the drawing is part of Pearce’s broader practice of producing quick studies to explore composition and light before committing to larger oil paintings. Its current location and ownership history are not documented in the available sources.