Who painted Studies of Figures [verso]?

Studies of Figures [verso] was painted by Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr. in 1880.

Where can I see Studies of Figures [verso]?

Studies of Figures [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Studies of Figures [verso]?

Studies of Figures [verso] is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Studies of Figures [verso]

Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr. , 1880

Studies of Figures [verso] is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr.. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This drawing, attributed to Enoch Wood Perry, Jr.

About this work

Overview

This drawing, attributed to Enoch Wood Perry, Jr., dates to around 1880 and is executed in graphite and charcoal on wove paper. It is labeled as a study, suggesting it was made as part of an artist’s process rather than a finished piece. The verso indicates the work was drawn on the back side of another sheet, a common practice among artists conserving materials.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing presents multiple figure studies, likely sketches of human forms observed from life or memory. These figures are rendered without narrative context, emphasizing anatomical form and posture over storytelling. The focus suggests an academic or pedagogical purpose, possibly linked to training in figure drawing prevalent in 19th-century art schools.

Technique & Style

Perry employed graphite for fine lines and charcoal for broader, tonal masses, creating contrast and volume with minimal means. The strokes are direct and economical, showing an emphasis on gesture and structure. The paper’s smooth surface allowed for subtle gradations, typical of mid-to-late 19th-century drawing practices in American art circles.

History & Provenance

The work’s early ownership is undocumented, but its materials and technique align with American art education practices of the 1870s–1890s. It likely remained in private hands or institutional collections until acquired by its current repository. No exhibition or publication history is recorded prior to its cataloging as part of a broader collection of Perry’s studies.

Context

Such studies were foundational for painters and sculptors seeking to master the human form in a period of growing professionalization in the arts.

During the 1880s, American artists increasingly engaged with academic figure drawing, influenced by European academies and the rise of art institutions like the National Academy of Design. Perry, trained in Europe and active in New York, participated in this movement. Such studies were foundational for painters and sculptors seeking to master the human form in a period of growing professionalization in the arts.

Legacy

Though not widely exhibited, this drawing reflects the quiet, persistent work behind artistic development in late 19th-century America. It contributes to understanding how artists like Perry built their skills through repetition and observation. As a surviving example of a common but rarely preserved practice, it offers insight into the unseen labor of artistic training.