Artwork

Patriotic Fund

Patriotic Fund, by Robert Smirke, ink, 1798
Patriotic Fund, by Robert Smirke, ink, 1798

Patriotic Fund is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Robert Smirke. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Patriotic Fund is a drawing by Robert Smirke, executed in 1798. The work depicts a detailed scene featuring multiple figures set against a backdrop of buildings.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of Patriotic Fund alludes to a charitable or nationalistic endeavor, though specific details of its theme are not explicitly documented in available information.

Technique & Style

Smirke employed a multifaceted technique, combining pen and brown ink with gray wash to achieve varied textures. Strategic highlights of white enhance the image's depth and dimensionality, showcasing the artist's draughtsmanship skills.

History & Provenance

Created in 1798, the drawing's subsequent history and ownership timeline are not provided in the available data.

Context

Patriotic Fund reflects the artistic tendencies of its time, with Smirke's use of ink and wash characteristic of late 18th-century drawing practices in Europe.

Legacy

While the drawing demonstrates Smirke's technical proficiency, its broader impact or influence on subsequent artistic movements is not specified in the given information.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert Smirke

Artist

Robert Smirke

Robert Smirke (1752–1845) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.