Man on Horseback with Standing Figure; Female in a Landscape (from Sketchbook) 1810 - 1820

This 1810-1820 sketch by Thomas Sully depicts a man on horseback with a female figure standing in the background. The work showcases Sully’s early style with a simple, yet elegant, composition and a freehand approach. The loose lines and emphasis on the figures, rather than the setting, suggest a focus on the human form. Sully’s mastery of portraiture and the human form, particularly notable in his later career, is evident even in this informal sketch. The artwork's small dimensions and pencil on paper medium suggest that it was likely a personal study, highlighting the artist's process and the development of his skill.