Standing Draped Woman
1907-1910
Medium
graphite on wove paper
Dimensions
sheet: 45.5 x 29 cm (17 15/16 x 11 7/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
The John U. and Evelyn S. Nef Collection
Accession Number
2011.60.76
Art Historical Context
Augustus John's "Standing Draped Woman" (1907–1910 showcases the artist's renowned draftsmanship through the subtle medium of graphite on wove paper. Measuring 45.5 by 29 centimeters, the drawing uses fine lines and delicate shading to explore the gentle folds and movement of fabric across the figure. Graphite's versatility allows for both precise contours and soft tonal variations, making it ideal for capturing the quiet grace of the subject in an intimate, study-like format. Created during the early years of John's career, this work reflects his deep interest in the human figure and classic...
About the Artist
Augustus John
Augustus Edwin John OM RA (1878–1961) was a Welsh painter, draughtsman, and etcher whose prodigious early gifts made him the most celebrated portraitist in Britain during the first decades of the twentieth century. Born on 4 January 1878 in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, he lost his mother Augusta Smith in childhood, a loss that left a permanent mark on his restless temperament. He and his elder sister Gwe...