Study of a Soldier
Medium
Conté crayon, red chalk, and pastel, heightened with white, on pale buff paper; squared in conté crayon
Dimensions
sheet: 16 1/2 x 8 in. (41.9 x 20.3 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Alexander B.V. Johnson and Roberta J.M. Olson, 2009
Accession Number
2009.521.2
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This preparatory drawing by Victor-François-Eloinourry, created in 1851–52, depicts a soldier in a poised, detailed study. The work’s squared grid in conté crayon reveals its practical purpose: the artist used it to transfer the figure accurately to a larger painting or mural. At roughly 16½ by 8 inches, the sheet captures the figure’s stance, uniform details, and expression with careful observation. Biennourry combined conté crayon, red chalk, and pastel, heightened with white on pale buff paper, to build rich tonal contrasts and subtle modeling. This mixed-media approach allowed him to sugg...