Sheet with overall pattern of squiggly lines 1800 - 1900

This anonymous drawing from the late 18th or 19th century, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features a mesmerizing pattern of squiggly lines forming star-like shapes across the paper. This type of artwork, known as "pattern drawing", was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries and often served as a form of meditation or a way to explore the aesthetic potential of simple geometric forms. The dense repetition of these lines creates a hypnotic effect, engaging the viewer's eye in a continuous exploration of the intricate design.