Standing Man in a Sheepskin Coat 1778

This red chalk drawing of a standing man in a sheepskin coat was made by N. Grenicher in the late 18th or early 19th century. The artist skillfully employed the chalk medium to render the texture of the man's garments, from the plush fur of his coat to the smooth fabric of his breeches. The marks create volume and light through the use of hatching and cross-hatching. The drawing is infused with a sense of social context. The man's clothing suggests a certain level of wealth and status, with the sheepskin coat serving as a visible symbol of his position. The skilled draftsmanship and attention to detail speak to the traditions of academic art training. But, by focusing on clothing, the artwork reflects the culture of consumption, labor, and class. Ultimately, this work serves as a reminder that materials, making, and context are essential to our understanding of art, transcending boundaries between fine art and craft.