Seven Figure Studies; Portrait of a Woman (from Sketchbook)
1810–20
Medium
Ink, wash, on paper
Dimensions
9 x 11 1/2 in. (22.9 x 29.2 cm)
Classification
Drawing
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1953
Accession Number
53.182.26 verso
Tags
Art Historical Context
Thomas Sully's *Seven Figure Studies; Portrait of a Woman ( Sketchbook)*, created between 1810 and 1820, offers a captivating glimpse into the working process of one of America's leading portraitists. Born in England but thriving in Philadelphia, Sully was renowned for his elegant portraits of prominent figures, drawing inspiration from British masters like Reynolds and Gainsborough This intimate sheet from his sketchbook reveals his skill in figure drawing, featuring seven studies—including male and female nudes alongside a detailed portrait of a woman—likely preparatory exercises to hone ana...
About the Artist
Thomas Sully · 1783–1872
Thomas Sully, born on June 19, 1783, in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England, to actor parents Matthew Sully and Sarah Chester, emigrated with his family to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1792. Raised in a theatrical environment, young Thomas debuted as a tumbler at age 11 before discovering his artistic talent. He studied miniature painting with his brother Lawrence Sully, brother-in-law Jean Belzon...