Artwork

The Proposal (recto); Unfinished drawing of a horse and rider (verso)

The Proposal (recto); Unfinished drawing of a horse and rider (verso) is a graphite painting by the British Romanticist artist Richard Parkes Bonington. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Proposal is a graphite drawing created by Richard Parkes Bonington in 1820, featuring a poignant domestic scene. Executed on the recto, its reverse (verso) contains an unfinished sketch of a horse and rider.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts an intimate moment: a kneeling man, gazing up with devotion at a standing woman in a white dress, who holds a pink, possibly fabric, object. A portrait on the background wall adds depth, framing a scene of quiet, emotional intimacy.

Technique & Style

Bonington's use of graphite achieves nuanced, refined light effects and expressive line work, characteristic of his bridging of English and French Romantic styles, despite the subject differing from his typical landscapes.

History & Provenance

Created in 1820, The Proposal is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Bonington's influence despite his short career, cut short by an early death.

Context

Though Bonington is renowned for coastal landscapes with expansive skies, this work showcases his ability with interior, figurative subjects, still imbued with the emotional depth of the Romantic movement.