Man Gesturing, Composition Study, Woman Petting Dog (from Sketchbook) 1810 - 1820

Thomas Sully’s “Man Gesturing, Composition Study, Woman Petting Dog (from Sketchbook)” is a pen-and-ink drawing on paper, created between 1810 and 1820. The composition features multiple figures in various poses, including a man gesturing, a woman petting a dog, and other figures interacting. The sketchy nature of the work suggests it is a study, possibly for a larger painting. As a prominent American artist, Sully was known for his portraits, but his sketchbooks offer a glimpse into his process and artistic exploration. This work, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, demonstrates the fluidity of his line and his interest in capturing the human form in motion.