Sketch for "Night"
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1914-38-76
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Francis Augustus Lathrop, prominent American artist (184–1909), created this *Sketch for "Night"* between 1893 and 1894, during a vibrant period of American art influenced by European traditions and the Gilded Age's decorative arts revival. Lathrop, known for his work in murals, stained glass, and illustrations, often drew from Aesthetic and Pre-Raphaelite inspirations, blending intricate detail with symbolic themes. This preparatory drawing, classified under "figures," likely captures human forms evoking the mystery and repose of nighttime, hinting at a larger composition exploring light, sha...