Sketch of Two Heads
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1914-38-265
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Sketch of Two Heads** by Francis Augustus Lath (1849–190) captures the artist's keen interest in the human form the late 19th century. Lathrop, an American and illustrator trained in Europe was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's meticulous detail and the Aesthetic Movement's emphasis on beauty. This circa 1895 sketch, as a study of figures, likely served as preparatory work for larger compositions, showcasing his skill in rendering expressive faces and subtle nuances of character. Created amid America's Gilded Age, when artists like Lathrop bridged European traditions with emerg...