Sheet of Sketches: Lancers, Struggling Nudes, Other Subjects 1813 - 1814

Théodore Géricault made this sketch on paper in the early 19th century using pen and brown ink. The lines vary in thickness depending on the amount of pressure applied by Géricault as he worked. He utilized a simple technique of applying ink to paper with a pen, creating lines that range from delicate and thin to bold and pronounced. The immediacy of the ink lends a sense of vitality to the figures and horses, capturing their energy and dynamism. The sketches are rapidly drawn, and you can see the artist working out his ideas. The use of brown ink gives the sketch an earthy quality, in keeping with the subject matter of battle scenes and nude figures. The monochromatic palette also emphasizes the importance of line and form, showcasing Géricault's skill as a draughtsman. This contrasts starkly with the finished painting, usually oil on canvas, which builds on the labor of others to create the materials necessary for production, and demands time and patience. This is immediate, and captures the artist's first thoughts.