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Sketches of Epic Tales and Everyday Life

A collection of sketches revealing scenes from epic narratives and everyday moments, highlighting figures, nature, and artistic studies.

Pencil drawing by Emerich Alexius Swoboda from around 1871 depicting a female figure seen from the back. The work emphasizes posture, anatomy, and figure study.
Pencil drawing by Emerich Alexius Swoboda from around 1871 depicting a female figure seen from the back. The work emphasizes posture, anatomy, and figure study.
266 assets in this story
Building the Bridge to Lanka mid-18th century Attributed to the Seu Family This scene from the epic Ramayana illustrates the heroic actions of the monkey army constructing a bridge to Lanka so that Sita could be rescued from the evil demon Ravana. The monkey army is shown hauling stones while being directed by Rama and Lakshmana, who are seated at the upper right. While the sheet is closely related to Manaku's work, the treatment of the monkeys suggests it is probably the product of his workshop.. Building the Bridge to Lanka 74651Studie.Page 32 From a sketchbook with 29 sheets.Pencil sketch by Valentin Wagner from 1633 depicting a secretary in Butzbach, emphasizing figure, posture, and interior details.Cloudy sky, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1895 - c. 1898 Page 24 from a sketchbook with 21 sheets. Amsterdam paper. chalk cloudsStudy, 1881 - 1883 Page 34 from a sketchbook with 27 magazines The Hague paper. pencilCollection of pencil sketches by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller showing different figure studies, focusing on gesture, posture, and composition.Pencil drawing by Emerich Alexius Swoboda from around 1871 depicting a female figure seen from the back. The work emphasizes posture, anatomy, and figure study.Sketch of a standing man. Draughtsman: Pier Francesco Morazzone. Dating: 1583 - 1626. Measurements: h 311 mm × w 213 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Crocodiles and turtles. Also a study of a squat child. Front bract from a sketchbook with 36 sheets.Study, 1875 - 1934 Page 15 Verso from sketchbook Lii with 43 sheets. paper. watercolor (paint) brushAbklatsch of the chalk drawing on page 33. Page 32 from a sketchbook with 17 sheets.Abklatsch of the chalk drawing on page 14 Verso, 1875 - 1934 Leaf 15 Recto from sketchbook XXII with 30 sheets. The Hague paperAbklatsch of the chalk drawing on page 42, c. 1884 - 1891 Page 43 from a sketchbook with 49 sheets. paperAllegorical performance, c. 1650 - c. 1799 Allegorical representation with a figure who is probably fed to heaven in the company of a woman with a caduceus (one -wounded staff -wounded staff). Page 42 from a sketchbook with 72 pages. Italy (possibly) paper. pencil. ink brush / pen caduceus (staff with two snakes, attribute of Mercury). anatomy (non-medical)Composition studies and figures. Composition studies with figures in frames. Page 6 From a sketchbook with 72 pages.Sketchbook Drawing, Charles Samuel Keene, 1823-1891, British, between 1846 and 1852, Graphite with pen and brown ink on ruled, medium, smooth, cream wove paper, Sheet: 6 1/2 × 4 inches (16.5 × 10.2 cm) and Binding: 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm)Abklatsch of the chalk drawing on page 3, 1875 - 1934 Page 2 from sketchbook XLVIII with 62 pages. The Hague (possibly) paperTrees, George Hendrik Breitner, 1881 - 1883 Trees. Page 9 from a sketchbook with 43 sheets. South-Holland paper. chalk treesFigure Study, 1834 - 1911 Probably a woman. Page 21 Recto from a sketchbook with 42 sheets. paper. chalk anatomy (non-medical)Cup of the Rhino Clara. Also a study of the skin of Clara. Page 43 from a sketchbook with 158 pages.Drawing, Study for festoons, Vintage Festival,” Mendelssohn Glee Club, New York, NY, 1895-1898; Robert Frederick Blum (American, 1857-1903); USA; graphite on paper; 27.7 × 41.3 cm (10 7/8 × 16 1/4 in.)Attributed to John Carter, 1748-1817, British, Exterior, Interior and Profile of the Work under the Window Sills, St Stephen's Chapel, between 1790 and 1802. Graphite and pen and black ink on slightly textured, medium thickness, white wove paper with three fold marks.Dancers and Performers (Page from a Sketchbook), c. 1911, graphite on wove paper, overall: 16.5 x 20.4 cm (6 1/2 x 8 1/16 in.), Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (artist) German, 1880 - 1938Sketches G. Hayter, Hayter, Sir George, 1792-1871, graphite, ink, watercolor, 1816Study. .Figure in seven -sided list, Giulio Romano, 1510 - 1546 drawing paper. ink penFlat landscape with cloudy sky. Flat landscape with cloudy sky. Page 30 and page 31 from a sketchbook with 43 sheets.The left forearm of a woman holding a book, Black crayon and white heightenings on paper that has been colored grey, Horizontal composition of a woman's arm with a book in her hand. The ruff-like trimming of her sleeves covers her elbow., Italy, 1850-1900, figures, Drawing, DrawingWagon Train verso. Dated: 1862-1865. Dimensions: sheet: 25.4 x 33 cm (10 x 13 in.). Medium: graphite on wove paper. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: Winslow Homer.Studie, c. 1887 - c. 1888 Page 44 from a sketchbook with 43 sheets. Diepenheim (possibly) paper. chalkRuins of Kreva castle and sketch of the Pahonia coat of arms, design for an address for H. Sienkiewicz. Ruszczyc, Ferdynand (1870-1936), draughtsman, cartoonistThree standing figures, Adrianus Everssen, c. 1828 - 1897 drawing On the left a farmer on clogs, a farmer's wife in the middle and a man with a cap and a stick, possibly also a farmer. Loose drawing from a sketchbook with 69 sheets made in the vicinity of Delft, Rotterdam, Oudewater and Harlingen. Verso a part of an advertisement. Netherlands paper. pencil farmers. farmers - AA - female farmer, farmer's wife. standing figureStudy sheet, including sitting figures in a circle, c. 1855 - c. 1859 Leaf 8 Verso from a sketchbook with 22 sheets. Zandvoort paper. pencil sitting figureFrancisco Bayeu / 'Male figure'. XVIII century. White chalk, Black chalk on green paper. Museum: Museo del Prado, Madrid, España.Benjamin West, 1738-1820, American, active in Britain (from 1763), Sketch.Portrait of the photographer Lochard 1877 Marcellin-Gilbert Desboutin French. Portrait of the photographer Lochard. Marcellin-Gilbert Desboutin (French, Cérilly 1823-1902 Nice). 1877. Drypoint; first state of two. PrintsFigures in sail and rowing boats, 1862 - c. 1864 Also a study by a man who carries two suits under the arm. Leaf 4 Verso from a sketchbook with 65 sheets. paper. pencil sailing-ship, sailing-boat. rowing-boat, canoe, etc.Molen Rijn en Lek in Wijk bij Duurstede, Willem Witsen, 1906 - 1907 Page 31 from a sketchbook with 25 magazines. Wijk bij Duurstede paper. chalk windmill Mill Rijn en LekChalk drawing by Stefano della Bella depicting a group of boards and foliage with reddish tones, created around 1633-1634.Outline of a design for inlaid decoration, 1818-30. Ink on tracing paper. Designer: George Bullock .Deraisme, Pierre -Georges (n.1859 - D.1932), Flower head pendant (main title), 1905. Graphite, ink on transparent rives vellum. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Horse head and figure studies, George Hendrik Breitner, 1886 Page 11 from a sketchbook with 9 sheets. The Hague paper. pencil adult man. adult woman. horseStanding man, seen on the back, George Hendrik Breitner, 1881 - 1883 Standing man, seen on the back. He is possible at work. Page 29 from a sketchbook with 70 magazines. South-Holland paper. pencil standing figure (+ back view). adult manAbklatsch of a chalk drawing, 1875 - 1934 The original drawing is no longer present in the sketchbook. Page 2 Recto from sketchbook LXVIII with 11 sheets. The Hague (possibly) paperA pencil sketch by Alexander Rothaug from around 1930, showing study of figures, objects, and compositional arrangements.Schjerfbeck, Helene, work, Sketch book, 1879-1880, drawing, 13.7 cm x 21, 8 cm, Schjerfbeck, Helene, part: Overlapping sketches, faces etc., 1879-1880, Helena Sofia Helene Schjerfbeck 1862 - 1946, Finnish modernist painter, known for her realist works, self-portraits, landscapes and still lifes, finland.Cloudy sky, 1854 - c. 1868 Page 65 Verso from a sketchbook with 88 sheets. paper. ink. pencil brush cloudsVerona Sketchbook: Head and shoulder with drapery (page 14), 1760. Francesco Lorenzi (Italian, 1723-1787). Black chalk with white heightening; sheet: 32 x 23 cm (12 5/8 x 9 1/16 in.).Verona Sketchbook: Nude male torso with drapery (page 16), 1760. Francesco Lorenzi (Italian, 1723-1787). Black and red chalk with white heightening; sheet: 32 x 23 cm (12 5/8 x 9 1/16 in.).Study, 1875 - 1934 Page 7 from sketchbook XXIX with 44 pages. Amsterdam (possibly) paper. chalkDesign for Part of a Ceiling or Cornice 17th century Anonymous, French, 17th century French. Design for Part of a Ceiling or Cornice 344399Flower study. Draughtsman: Wybrand Hendriks. Dating: 1777. Measurements: h 409 mm × w 344 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Cup and print, James Ensor, circa 1870-1880, drawing, Belgian ArtSketch sheet with studies of carp, draughtsman: Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, (mentioned on object), 1876 - 1924, paperPanel (Italy); muslin; 1960-15-1Study of a hand. Scaramuccia, Luigi Pellegrino (1616-1680), draughtsman, cartoonistA 1730 drawing by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich showing a market owner with a child, executed in Bleigriffel technique.Two potato rooisters, c. 1886 A spade behind them. In the distance. Page 66 from a sketchbook with 38 magazines means around the Ewijkshoeve. Ewijkshoeve paper. chalk reaping, picking, mowing ~ harvest. potatoes. adolescent, young woman, maiden (+ kneeling)Two Variants of a Round Ornament with Fish Motifs. Artist: Edgar Gilstrap Simpson (British, 1867-1945 (presumed)). Dimensions: sheet: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm). Date: 1899-1900. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Hotei, mid-1500s. Yamada Dōan I (Juntei) (Japanese, d. 1573), inscribed by Tōkei Jakurin (Japanese, dates unknown). Hanging scroll; ink on paper; overall: 85.7 x 35.3 cm (33 3/4 x 13 7/8 in.). Hotei is a semilegendary figure who may have lived from the late 800s to the early 900s. He later became prominent in Chan (or Zen, in Japanese) Buddhist literature. He epitomizes the freewheeling figure outside the mainstream monastic systemin which people strive for enlightenment through prescribed methodswho nonetheless attains a high level of spiritual awakening. The inscription warns against seeking enlightenment by conscious effort: Big stomach, gaping garment,Treasures gathered deep in the bottom of his bag,Passing through the sky is another road,Do not seek that to which his fingertip points.A pencil and chalk study by Alexander Rothaug on gray paper depicting two robes, emphasizing folds, form, and composition.Marx, Roger (n.1859-08-28-D.1913-12-13), La Loïe Fuller. Stone Roche models (main title), 1904. Gypsotypia. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Portrait of Takuh Halkanah Dikhani Indian. Portrait of Takuh Halkanah Dikhani, ca. 1825. Ink on paper, sheet: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (10.8 x 14.0 cm). Asian Art ca. 1825Figure study, George Hendrik Breitner, 1883 - c. 1885 Page 34, Achterste Schutblad, from a sketchbook with 16 sheets. Amsterdam paper. chalk. pencil adult manFace with warts. .A feather drawing by Francesco la Marra showing a torso in the bottom left of a composition, executed on a white surface and composed of seven pieces.Hand. Verso from a loose drawing between the front bract and sheet 1 from a sketchbook with 28 sheets.Cloudy sky, Pieter Idserts (possibly), 1708 - 1781, draughtsman: Pieter Idserts, (possibly), 1708 - 1781, paper, brush, h 205 mm × w 263 mmAlbert, Woman sitting on a chair next to a cradle, recto - handwritten, The woman leans her arm on the edge of the cradle., print, prints, verso - stamped, 1a, 1. upper edge entre deux, height 338 mm, width 297 mm, Dutch, 1877-09-05 - 1920-12-31, print maker, printmaker, 1887 - 1920, paper, papier, etching, etchings, plaattoon" Roelofs, verso - handwritten, The woman leans her arm on the edge ofValance, Medium: cotton, linen Technique: embroidered, Long border or valance of white-on-white embroidery showing confronted birds and trees., Europe, 17th century, embroidery & stitching, ValancePencil work by Gilles Demarteau produced between 1742 and 1776 showing cherubic figures known as amoretten.Study, George Hendrik Breitner, 1884 - 1886 Page 36 from a sketchbook with 29 sheets. The Hague paper. chalk. pencilSketch of a group of people, George Hendrik Breitner, 1867 - 1923 drawing paper.Designs for Gothic Ornamentation, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, 1812-1852, British, Augustus Charles Pugin, 1762-1832, French, undated, Graphite on smooth, moderately thick, cream wove paper with two fold marks, Sheet: 10 5/8 × 13 inches (27 × 33 cm), architectural subject, designs, gargoyles, Gothic (Medieval), ornamentationPencil study on transparent paper showing a detailed tendril ornament design by Carl von Hasenauer.Sketches of an Equestrian Battle and the Head of a Greyhound. Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault; French, 1791-1824. Date: 1813-1814. Dimensions: 168 × 225 mm. Graphite on cream wove paper, perimeter mounted on ivory laid paper. Origin: France. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Study of two hands. Draughtsman: Giacomo Cavedone. Draughtsman: Camillo Gavasetti. Dating: 1600 - 1628. Measurements: h 243 mm × w 394 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Sketchbook with 45 sheets made around the Ewijkshoeve, Willem Witsen, c. 1884 - c. 1887 Sketchbook consisting of 45 sheets with shepherds, sheep cages, landscapes and figure studies made around the Ewijkshoeve. On the front a men's face, seen from the front, and on the back a men's head in profile. Ewijkshoeve paper. boekband: cardboard. boekband: linen (material). chalk cattle driving, cattle driver. sheep. herd, flock. stall, stableStudy sheet, George Hendrik Breitner, 1881 - 1883 Study sheet. Page 13 from a sketchbook with 70 magazines. South-Holland paper. chalk. pencilOrnamental drawing 16th century Anonymous, French, 16th century French. Ornamental drawing 396123Sketch of a sitting figure, Anonymous, 1580 - 1620 drawing Middle Italy paper. chalkThe sower, to Millet, the lower half. .Study sheet with lobsters, draughtsman: Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, 1876 - 1924, paper, brush, h 584 mm × w 373 mmView of Overmolen and View of Kleingaarden, Hans Collaert (I), After Hans Bol, After Jacob Grimmer, 1575 - 1580 print Two prints on a leaf. Upstairs: View on the road to the Brussels city gate Overmolen. Below: View of the Inn Kleingaarden in the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw. Reconstructed from three fragments. Southern Netherlands paper engraving city-view, and landscape with man-made constructions Brussels. Saint Peters LionMerletto o Pizzo 1839-40 William Henry Fox Talbot British. Merletto o Pizzo 289215John Robert Cozens, 1752-1797, British, Passage to the Grand Chartreuse, October 25, undated. Graphite and varnish on thin, slightly textured, cream laid paper.Drawing, Shoes; Robert Frederick Blum (American, 1857-1903); USA; graphite on wove paper; 5.2 × 11.1 cm (2 1/16 × 4 3/8 in.)Four Heads and Two Figures verso. Dated: 1884-1888. Dimensions: overall: 16.9 x 22.7 cm (6 5/8 x 8 15/16 in.). Medium: crayon on wove paper. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: PAUL GAUGUIN.Ornament with birds, 1896 Page 29 Verso from a sketchbook with 44 sheets. paper. pencil ornament derived from animal formsPainting from Mycenae restd M. of Nauplia Greece , Dogs, Boars, Paintings. Nicholas Catsimpoolas CollectionSketchbook Peter Frederick Rothermel (American, 1817-1895). Sketchbook, 1857. Graphite with ink and watercolor on cream, medium-weight, slightly textured wove paper, 5 11/16 x 8 5/8 x 3/8 in. (14.4 x 21.9 x 1 cm). This forty-two-page sketchbook contains drawings by the history painter Peter Frederick Rothermel of scenes in Genazzano, Italy, forty miles east of Rome. He documented the local architecture, sculpture, landscape, and people, while also including sketches for narrative subjects. The costumes and daily life of the townfolk are captured in several skillful figure studies, including this image of a man leaning against a stone wall. American Art 1857Border tile, painted with blue, male figure, border tile wall tile tile material ceramics earthenware glaze, baked 2x glazed painted Rotterdam City Center Stadsdriehoek Lombardstraat Binnenrotte Soil discovery Binnenrotte-Lombardstraat in RotterdamTwo reliefs of the Fontaine des Innocents in Paris, representing two women with water jars, c. 1875 - c. 1900 photograph cardboard. photographic support albumen print sculpture (+ relief ~ sculpture). jar, jug (used as drinking-vessel). adult womanSketch magazine with studies of a haddock, Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, c. 1876 - c. 1924 drawing paper. chalk fishesDeraisme, Pierre -Georges (n.1859 - D.1932), brooch (main title), 1910. Graphite on the front, gouache on the back on transparent vellum. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Study for San Francisco, center right section. Charles Meryon; French, 1821-1868. Date: 1855-1856. Dimensions: 231 × 239 mm. Graphite on tan wove tracing paper. Origin: France. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.Two hands and a book, Johannes Körnlein (Possible), After Hendrick Goltzius, 1770 drawing The drawing is loose in an album, see page 18. Amsterdam paper. chalk imposition of hands. bookAbklatsch of the chalk drawing on page 6 Recto, 1906 - 1945 Page 5 Verso from a sketchbook with 53 sheets. paperHands, James Ensor, circa 1860-1949, drawing, Belgian ArtDiebitsch Carl von (1819-1869), ornamentation (without date): Detail. Pencil on paper, 20.7 x 34.7 cm (including scan edges) Diebitsch Carl von (1819-1869): Ornamentik