Two Male Figures: Study for "The Good Samaritan"

Shannon employs loose, gestural chalk strokes that convey movement and immediacy. The gray laid paper provides a muted ground, allowing the white and black chalk to define form through contrast. This method mirrors the early‑20th‑century practice of using chalk for rapid figure studies, particularly in portrait and narrative planning.

Created in 1918, the drawing was part of Shannon’s preparatory work for a larger canvas titled *The Good Samaritan*. Though primarily known for portraiture, Shannon’s studies such as this illustrate his broader engagement with narrative subjects. The piece now resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, where it is catalogued among his drawings.