Artwork Page for Study of Hands (recto); Sketch of a Hand (verso)

Details / Information for Study of Hands (recto); Sketch of a Hand (verso)

Study of Hands (recto); Sketch of a Hand (verso)

1700s

Pierre Lenfant

(French, 1704–1787)
View all records in artwork set
Culture
France, 18th century
Medium
red and black chalk heightened with white chalk
Measurements
Sheet: 20.1 x 20.4 cm (7 15/16 x 8 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Victor Spark, New York 1946.447
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

After Pierre Lenfant served as the official battlefield artist to King Louis XV in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), he and his family were awarded a lifetime residence at the royal Gobelins Manufactory on the outskirts of Paris. This delicate study in colored chalks may depict a weaver pulling threads in the textile factory.
A horizontally oriented red and black chalk drawing on tan paper depicts both sides of a sheet. On the left, a hand emerges from a dark sleeve above another hand clutching fibers, accompanied by a drapery fragment at the top. The forms are shaded with diagonal strokes and highlighted with white chalk. On the right, the reverse displays a faint hand sketch, handwritten numerals, and a small stamp in the top corner.

Study of Hands (recto); Sketch of a Hand (verso)

1700s

Pierre Lenfant

(French, 1704–1787)
France, 18th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork