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.
Child's arm, draughtsman: Giacomo Cavedone, (attributed to), 1587 - 1660, paper, h 189 mm × w 123 mmSaints, or Allegorical Figures and Putti on Clouds. Attributed to Giovanni Battista Beinaschi (Italian, 1636-1688); or Antonio Allegri, called Correggio (Italian, c. 1489-1534). Date: 1656-1688. Dimensions: 401 x 536 mm. Pen and brown ink, with charcoal, on buff laid paper, laid down on cream laid paper. Origin: Italy. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Hounds at Play, William Hunt Diederich, American, b. Hungary, 1884-1953, Graphite on paper, Circular design for a ceramic plate with an ornamental border. Within the plate, two barking hounds, one standing on stairs. At left, a figure in a top hat peers from behind a wall., USA, ca. 1920, ceramics, Drawing, DrawingStudies of Feet verso. Dated: 1855. Dimensions: overall: 30.5 x 23.7 cm (12 x 9 5/16 in.). Medium: graphite on laid paper. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: EDGAR DEGAS.Drawing (Italy)Stencil early 19th century Japan. Stencil. Japan. early 19th century. Paper. Edo period (1615-1868). StencilsSketch sheet with cow studies. Draughtsman: Leo Gestel. Dating: 1891 - 1941. Measurements: h 103 mm × w 120 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.esbozo de figuras femeninas, Narcís Puget Riquer, dibujo al carboncillo,museo Puget, casa noble de Can LLaudis , Dalt Vila, Ibiza, balearic islands, Spain.Deraisme, Pierre -Georges (n.1859 - D.1932), reliquary (main title), 1920. Graphite on transparent vellum (calendars). Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Abklatsch of the chalk drawing on page 40. Page 41 from Sketchbook XLVII with 52 pages.The replacement of the wounded horse of the Prince of Orange during the fight at Boutersem, 1831, Cornelis Kruseman (Possible), c. 1835 drawing The replacement of the wounded horse of the Prince of Orange, the later King William II, during the fight at Boutersem, 12 August 1831. The prince is amid officers and soldiers in a prancing white horse. On the left a cannon, on the right a drum.  pencil   BoutersemFragment 16th century Italian. Fragment 230507Carl von Hasenauer designed Hermengruppen (grouped sculptures) for the Burgtheater in Vienna, executed in pencil on transparent paper in the late 19th century.Abklatsch of the chalk drawing on page 26, c. 1884 - c. 1887  Page 27 from a sketchbook with 29 sheets.  paperCOROT Drawings Sketch Book: Tree VERY VERUALLY Sketch (page 16) Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (1796-1875). COROT Drawings Sketch Book: Tree very vaguely sketch (page 16). Pencil.'"The Drawing of a 12-gun Ship (6th class by mid-17th-century classification) of Dutch Design"'. Russia, 1660-1670s. Dimensions: 20x61,2 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg. Author: ANONYMOUS.Torso and legs of a standing man. Draughtsman: Gerard ter Borch (II) (mentioned on object). Dating: after 1627 - 1681. Place: Zwolle. Measurements: h 141 mm × w 186 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Acting act, based on the eye; Raynefeld, Józef (1908-1940); 1930-1940 (1930-00-00-1940-00-00);Sketchbook John Singer Sargent (American, born Italy, 1856-1925). Sketchbook, 1871-1872. Graphite, charcoal, watercolor and white chalk on paper, Sketchbook: 9 3/16 x 11 7/8 x 1/2 in. (23.3 x 30.2 x 1.3 cm).  Regarded as one of the leading portraitists and watercolorists of the Gilded Age, the expatriate John Singer Sargent was also a consummate draftsman. He drew prolifically and precociously from a young age, as evidenced by this sketchbook, which he used while traveling in Germany in 1871-72, at age fifteen. Sargent filled many of the pages with his exercises in copying classical statuary from the famous plaster cast collection of Dresdens Albertinum museum. The sketches show a variety of approaches, from broad, linear strokes to refined tonal modeling. American Art 1871-1872Graphite sketch by Francesco Borromini of the Oratory of the Filipinos in Rome, showing profiles and detailed architectural elements, executed on medium-strong paper in 1638 with labels.Three photo productions of drawings of ornaments, c. 1875 - c. 1900 photograph On the right (148) a leaf with ornaments including a capital, middle (149) a leaf with ornaments with people, on the right (150) a leaf with ornaments with plant motifs and myth animals. Europe cardboard. photographic support albumen print drawing, sketch. capital (~ column, pillar). ornament ~ hybrid animals EuropeTe atua (The God), from the Noa Noa Suite. Paul Gauguin; French, 1848-1903. Date: 1893-1894. Dimensions: 202 × 346 mm (image); 206 × 346 mm (sheet). Wood-block print in residual brown and black inks on ivory wove paper. Origin: France. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.Edward Goodall, 1795-1870, British, Camp Hill, Hastings, 1837. Line engraving, engraver's proof.MINIATURE REPRESENTING THE CURE OF EVIL EYE. Location: LAURENZIANISCHE BIBLIOTHEK. Florenz. ITALIA.Martin Johann Schmidts drawing around 1790 depicts a left hand study executed in black-brown fat chalk and white chalk on green-gray primed paper.Profiles, 4 stencilsRamp Building Scene, Tomb of Rekhmire New Kingdom Nina de Garis Davies ca. 1504-1425 B.C. View more. Ramp Building Scene, Tomb of Rekhmire. Nina de Garis Davies (1881-1965). ca. 1504-1425 B.C.. Tempera on paper. New Kingdom. Original from Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Tomb of Rekhmire (TT 100). Dynasty 18Verona Sketchbook: Study of feet (page 53), 1760. Francesco Lorenzi (Italian, 1723-1787). Black chalk ; sheet: 32 x 23 cm (12 5/8 x 9 1/16 in.).Without title (horse). Draughtsman: Leo Gestel. Dating: 1925 - 1940. Measurements: h 133 mm × w 196 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Anatomy Sketchbook Eastman Johnson (American, 1824-1906). Anatomy Sketchbook, 1849. Graphite on beige, medium weight, slightly textured laid paper, Sketchbook: 17 1/8 x 11 1/16 x 3/8 in. (43.5 x 28.1 x 1 cm).  Eastman Johnson used this sketchbook while enrolled in an anatomy class at the Düsseldorf Royal Academy in Germany. The meticulous, almost scientific precision of his skeleton studies reveals the schools emphasis on draftsmanship and anatomical knowledge as fundamental tools for the artist. Many of the drawings include grids and other geometric guidelines, as well as notations about ideal proportions of the human body. Johnson parlayed his academic training into a successful career as a painter of American genre subjects. American Art 1849Deraisme, Pierre -Georges (n.1859 - D.1932), floral motifs (main title), 1900. Graphite, gouache on transparent vellum. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Two studies of a landscape, naked man.twee studies of a naked man behind the elbows.Various instruments including wind instruments; Design for marquetery of musical instrument hung up to ribbons in around medallion. One of 103 designs for marquetics of ribbons hung musical instruments in round medallions, intended for the set of chairs made by Van Doren for the Great Hall of the Prince of Orange Palace in Brussels in 1828.Three Studies of a Left Hand, Francis Augustus Lathrop, American, 1849 - 1909, Graphite on grey-brown paper, Hand with palm up, shown from center. To the right, two studies of the hand in almost the same position., USA, ca. 1895, figures, Drawing, DrawingRepetition of one of the Roman soldiers on Verso van Page 11, Anonymous, After Lucas van Leyden, 1585 - 1587 drawing   prepared paper.Francisco Bayeu / 'Two Angel Figures'. 1781. White chalk, Red chalk on dark toned paper. Museum: Museo del Prado, Madrid, España.Landscape with Windmill Johan Barthold Jongkind (Dutch, 1819-1891). Landscape with Windmill. Charcoal with watercolor wash on paper, 6 5/16 x 9 3/4 in. (16.1 x 24.7 cm).   European ArtBarges, Graphite, pen and ink, brush and wash on paper, Three barges at the right, near a section of bank. At left is another barge, covered with a canopy., France, 1775-1800, landscapes, Drawing, DrawingChild, lying on the back, Abraham Delfos, 1741 - 1820 drawing   paper. ink penPrint (France)Löwendenkmal Te Lucerne; Lucerne Le Lion ..Kar of Ploeg, George Hendrik Breitner, 1884 - 1886  Page 105 and Page 106 from a sketchbook with 67 sheets made in Drenthe. Drenthe paper  (farm) wagon, freight wagon, cart. agricultural implements: ploughFeder drawing in brown by Domenico Fetti depicting a mythological scene with figures and classical motifs, laved for tonal variation.Tombstone of Zhu Dezhong (874-921) with the Figures of the Twelve-Year Chinese Zodiac (Shengxiao). China, Henan Province, Shou'an (modern Yiyang) County, Five Dynasties period, Southern Liang dynasty, dated 921. Sculpture. Carved limestoneDeraisme, Pierre -Georges (n.1859 - D.1932), brooch (main title), 1898. Graphite and watercolor on transparent rives vellum. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Le Tableau. Louis Darget (French, 1847 - 1923)A pencil drawing book by Josef von Führich begun in Cratzau on February 2, 1806, including studies of figures, objects, and landscapes in various compositions.Sketchbook with 38 sheets, Willem Witsen, c. 1884 - c. 1887  Sketchbook consisting of 38 sheets, some of which mean with landscapes, farmers on land and a cat. Two dried yellow-brown flowers were found between page 50 and page 51. Ewijkshoeve paper. boekband: cardboard. boekband: linen (material). chalk  landscapes in the temperate zone. farmers. catBergen in Tyrol, 1858  Page 1 recto from a sketchbook with 47 sheets. Tyrol paper. ink. pencil brush mountains TyrolVerona Sketchbook: Hands (page 92), 1760. Francesco Lorenzi (Italian, 1723-1787). Black chalk with white heightening ; sheet: 32 x 23 cm (12 5/8 x 9 1/16 in.).Inkwell. Dated: 1935/1942. Dimensions: overall: 29.2 x 23.1 cm (11 1/2 x 9 1/8 in.). Medium: watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: John Dana.Judas Iscariot. Drawing, c. 1789, after H. Holbein.Deraisme, Pierre -Georges (n.1859 - D.1932), monogram (main title), 1905. Graphite, ink, gouache on transparent rives vellum. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Bending over. Draughtsman: George Hendrik Breitner. Dating: c. 1882 - c. 1912 and/or 1887 - 1891. Place: Gelderland. Measurements: h 78 mm × w 128 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Paris, Le Père & Pierre-Michel Avaulez, Charles, Delafosse, Jean Charles, Janinet, Jean François, 2e Cahier, Trophies, Attributs D'Un Bal, Musical instruments and masks, verso - stamped, A trophy with attributes belonging to a ball such as musical instruments, sheet music and masks., print, engraving, ornament print, prints, engravings, ornament prints, height 385 mm, width 192 mm, French, 1752 - 1814-11-01, print maker, printmaker, 1772 - 1779, paper, papier, crayonmanier, 1734 - 1791-10-11, intermediary draughtsman, after a drawing by, Publication (Event), Publication, publisherSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae, Antonio Lafreri, 1512-1577, French, 1546-1590, Line engraving on medium, slightly textured, cream laid paperStudy magazine with sailing ships, possibly fishing pinks. Draughtsman: George Hendrik Breitner (signed by artist). Dating: 1880 - 1882. Place: Rotterdam. Measurements: h 99 mm × w 326 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Design for the Decoration of a Lunette with a Large Central Cartouche. Artist: Battista Franco (Italian, Venice ca. 1510-1561 Venice). Dimensions: 12-1/2 x 21-1/2 in. (31.8 x 54.6 cm). Date: 1498-1561. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Panel, Medium: silk, metal frame Technique: embroidered on grosgrain, Sqare panel of white grosgrain stitched onto an embroidery frame showing an unfinished embroidery design in an eighteenth-century style worked with light blue silk. Extra silk rolled up and attached to the frame., USA, late 19th century, embroidery & stitching, PanelDrapery Study, Francis Augustus Lathrop, American, 1849 - 1909, Graphite on tracing paper, Lower part of drapery for running or dancing female figure, turned to the right., USA, ca. 1895, figures, Drawing, DrawingPlum Blossoms, 1336-92. Japan, Nanbokuchō period (1336-92). Hanging scroll; ink on paper; painting only: 103.5 x 37.5 cm (40 3/4 x 14 3/4 in.); including mounting: 182.9 x 47.6 cm (72 x 18 3/4 in.).Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey, American, 1852-1911, M.A., 1897, Sketch of a rhinocerous-like animal, from Man Before Metals by N.Joly, Graphite on tracing paper, 13 × 18.5 cm (5 1/8 × 7 5/16in.), Made in United States, American, 19thcentury, Works on Paper - Drawings andWatercolorsStudy of a Seated Man (recto); Study of a Male Nude (verso); Jean-Siméon Chardin (French, 1699 - 1779); France; about 1720 - 1725; Charcoal and white chalk; 25.6 x 16.7 cm (10 1,16 x 6 9,16 in.)Sarcophage du musée de Candie - Crète , Sarcophagi. Nicholas Catsimpoolas CollectionMomoyogusa = Flowers of a Hundred Generations, vol. 2 back cover.. Kamisaka, Sekka, 1866-1942. Prints, Illustrations. 1909 - 1910. Spencer Collection. Japan , Social life and customsLying naked woman, draughtsman: George Hendrik Breitner, Amsterdam, 1898, cardboard, h 138 mm × w 270 mmFragment (Dress Fabric) Made 1701-1800 Iran. .Studies van een man in jacquet.Page 62 From Sketchbook XLVIII with 62 pages.Adrià Gual / Boceto para la obra "Nausica". Acto I. 1921. Institut del Teatre de Barcelona.Imperial museum of the Louvre. / N�.117. Prometheus, / Marble Group by Adam, this composition earned him / the honors of the Academy. Marble group by Adam. Prometheus. Marble group by Adam, this composition earned him the honors of the Academy, Louvre Museum. Anonymous photography. Album paper. Between 1850 and 1870.The Steam Launch, Chelsea Embankment. Theodore Roussel; French, worked in England, 1847-1926. Date: 1888-1889. Dimensions: 82 × 122 mm. Copper plate. Origin: England. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Drawing, Study for portrait; Harriet Blackstone (American, 1864 - 1939); USA; grapite on paper mounted to newsprint; 7 × 12.5 cm (2 3/4 × 4 15/16 in.)Roman shepherd with goat. Un berger caressant une chevre. Copperplate engraving from Pierre-Francois dHarcanvilles Monumens du Culte Secret des Dames Romaines, Sabellus, Capri (Monuments to the Secret Cult of Roman Women, Leclerc, Nancy) 1780. Based on imaginary Spintria, medals and cameos.Women's act (Ewa); Thoma, Hans (1839-1924); around 1897 (1892-00-00-1902-00-00);Victor Hugo (1802-1885). Project for Hauteville House. Brown ink on paper. Paris, house of Victor Hugo. Brown ink, Hauteville House, paper, project, 19th 19th XIX 19th 19th 19th century, housePlate with engraved decorations for pottery with edge decorations for plates, Petrus Regout, c. 1801 - c. 1879 Copper plate with engraved performances. On the one hand three edge decorations for plates with hexagonal fields with flowers and a fragment of a decor with children playing (connects to: BK-1983-299). In the top right corner the text: Komm ... N. in the left corner the number: 1221. The other side with three engraved edge decorations for plates with flowers. In the top right corner the text: Rand ... (). Maastricht copper (metal) engraving Copper plate with engraved performances. On the one hand three edge decorations for plates with hexagonal fields with flowers and a fragment of a decor with children playing (connects to: BK-1983-299). In the top right corner the text: Komm ... N. in the left corner the number: 1221. The other side with three engraved edge decorations for plates with flowers. In the top right corner the text: Rand ... (). Maastricht copper (metal) engravingBoys playing at a porch in front of a house. Draughtsman: Harmen ter Borch (mentioned on object). Dating: 25-Mar-1651. Place: Zwolle. Measurements: h 149 mm × w 207 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Album with 26 pasted prints to Italian artists from the sixteenth century, John B. Skippe, After Correggio, After Perino del Vaga, After Parmigianino, After Titian, After Andrea del Sarto, After Andrea Mantegna, After RafaNelli, After Baccio, Afterer , After Domenico Tintoretto, 1781 - 1809  Album with 26 pasted Clair-Obscur Houtcuts to Italian artists from the sixteenth century.  paper. inkFour strips of 17th-century side produced in Alençon, from the collection of the Kunstwerbemuseum in Dresden, Anonymous, 1888 photomechanical print This print is part of a cover with 49 prints and a list of images. Dresden paper collotype lace Artificial museumLoading a Haywain, Peter DeWint, 1784-1849, British, undated, Watercolor, verso: graphite on medium, rough, cream, wove paper, Sheet: 1 15/16 × 3 3/8 inches (4.9 × 8.6 cm), figures, genre subject, hay, haywain, laborersNozal, Alexandre (N.1852-08-07-D.1929), drawing notebook n ° 11 (main title), 1910. Watercolor, graphite pencil, pastel, black and purple ink wash, gouache on paper. Beige canvas cover. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.Quast Ferdinand von (1807-1877), wall frieze () With a hand-raising crowd (07.1872): Two views of figure fries with refugees hardly any clad, panicked people, castles in the background and a Laokoon similar man with S. ink on transparent, 23.5 x 30.6 cm (including scan edges) Quast Ferdinand von  (1807-1877): Wandfries () mit handaufhebender MenschenmengeLost son like cattle heap.Drawing, Design for fillet; Italy; 1940-86-266Red chalk drawing by Bartolomeo Altomonte from around 1720 showing a head study, depicting facial features, expression, and proportions.Diogenes without Sun, 17' Exposure. Date/Period: October 6, 1840. Print. Salt, from a photogenic drawing negative. Height: 119 mm (4.68 in); Width: 110 mm (4.33 in). Author: William Henry Fox Talbot.Study of a part of a goat. Draughtsman: Harmen ter Borch (mentioned on object). Dating: 6-Jan-1650. Place: Zwolle. Measurements: h 75 mm × w 111 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.Sunday, Center Field, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887-90 Issued by Goodwin & Company The "Old Judge" series of baseball cards (N172) was issued by Goodwin & Company from 1887 to 1890 to promote Old Judge Cigarettes.. Sunday, Center Field, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 401909Hand Drum Motif, Mulberry paper (kozo washi) treated with fermented persimmon tannin (kakishibu), Commonly found are textiles are hand drums (Tsuzumi), which are traditional Japanese drums. Using the komon technique, repeated spiral and floral patterns create this textile design. The upper left and right portion are significantly damaged., Japan, late 18th - mid 19th century, textile designs, Katagami, KatagamiLost blanket, Caverns of Luray. still image. Stereographs, Photographs. 1882. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection. Virginia, Luray (Va.), Caves , VirginiaLithophane of a Dresden Landscape, biscuit, Horizontal rectangle with view of Dresden, in relief. In foreground, boats in the Elbe. Background includes bridge and tall buildings against clouded sky., Germany, 1825-1900, ceramics, Decorative Arts, lithophane, lithophanePortrait of a Man. Jacob Byerly (American, 1807 - 1883)Infant's Cap. Dated: c. 1939. Dimensions: overall: 34.7 x 27.6 cm (13 11/16 x 10 7/8 in.). Medium: watercolor and graphite on paperboard. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: Grace Halpin.Bed Hanging. Dated: c. 1936. Dimensions: overall: 23.3 x 28.9 cm (9 3/16 x 11 3/8 in.). Medium: watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: Phyllis Dorr.Panel in gable of Leicester Public Library , Libraries, Architectural elementsFragment Made 1601-1700 Iran. Brocaded plain simple twill, silk and silver wound on a white silk core .Lazio Roma Subiaco Rocca Abbaziale5. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Distant and close range exterior views of castle, portals, papal crests. Interior views of entry hall, chapel, Appartamento dei Colonna, Appartamento di Pio VI, and Camara di Pio VI, with many detail views of ceiling and wall frescoes. General Notes: Views 1-7 extracted and filed separately under General views. German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.Sketchbook, English and French Landscape and Coastal Subjects William Trost Richards (American, 1833-1905). Sketchbook, English and French Landscape and Coastal Subjects, 1880. Graphite on paper, 3 15/16 x 6 7/8 in. (10 x 17.5 cm).  In June 1880, before returning to Newport, Richards made a brief expedition to France. His sketchbook records his impressions while traveling, including this charming study of a picturesque French doorway made, perhaps, at Saint-Cloud, or in Paris. American Art 1880Sketch of a leg, draughtsman: Parmigianino, 1513 - 1540, paper, h 144 mm × w 49 mmStudy for a procession, Vintage Festival,” Mendelssohn Glee Club, New York, NY, Robert Frederick Blum, American, 1857-1903, Pastel crayon, graphite on paper, Sketch of male and female figures in procession through an arcade with columns and pedestals. Similar to 1904-16-1, the figures being sketched as nudes. The architectural setting at left in the second plane is an alternation of that in 1904-16-28-b; but the seated woman is shown nearly in profile and a group similar to 1904-16-27 is added. No background is shown there. The decoration of the wall under and over the picture is indicated., New York, NY, USA, 1895-1898, mural designs, Drawing, Drawing