Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Walter Seymour, 1850
Untitled, by Walter Seymour, 1850

Untitled is a drawing by Walter Seymour. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Untitled, a mid-19th-century drawing by Walter Seymour, is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. Created around 1850, it features a figure in a distinctive, voluminous fur cloak.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a person standing in a sideways pose, with one arm relaxed at their side and the other on their hip. Their identity and context are not specified, leaving the focus on the attire and the figure's relaxed, everyday stance.

Technique & Style

Seymour employed quick, expressive lines to capture the figure's form, prioritizing the suggestion of movement and the play of fabric folds over detailed precision. The thick, textured cloak and striped lower garments are defined through these dynamic strokes.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1850, the drawing is now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, though specific details about its creation context or the subject's identity are not provided.

Context

The use of plain, dark background isolates the figure, drawing attention to the interplay of textures (fur, striped fabric) and the casual, natural pose, characteristic of observational drawings from the period.

Legacy

While specific influence or notable exhibitions of this piece are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader understanding of mid-19th-century drawing practices, particularly in capturing everyday subjects with expressive technique.

Artist & collection

Artist

Walter Seymour

Walter Seymour probably spent more time in the docks than the studio. Born in London’s working-class East End, he sketched sailors and fishing boats on scraps of paper while they gossiped about storms and wages. His…