Artwork
Study for "Le Stryge"
Study for "Le Stryge" is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Joseph Pennell. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1893, this pen and black‑ink drawing on graphite presents a solitary gargoyle perched atop a building’s edge, looking out over an expansive urban vista. The figure is rendered with meticulous line work, while the distant cityscape unfolds in a series of diminishing architectural forms, establishing a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a stone gargoyle, a traditional guardian figure, positioned as an observer of the bustling metropolis below. By isolating the creature in a moment of stillness, the artist invites reflection on the juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern, suggesting a silent watchfulness over the evolving city.
Technique & Style
Executed with pen and black ink over a graphite underdrawing, the work relies on dense cross‑hatching to model volume and convey texture. The intricate line patterns generate subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving the gargoyle a tactile surface and imparting depth to the receding architectural elements in the background.
History & Provenance
The drawing is part of the artist’s extensive series of European urban studies produced during a long career spent abroad. Trained under James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins, the creator later absorbed aesthetic principles from James McNeill Whistler, evident in the atmospheric handling of line. The piece remains within the artist’s oeuvre of cityscapes and architectural sketches.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
