Figure Sketches, Including Battling Equestrain, Roman Caesar Type Pointing, Bloody Brawl, Etc. (from Sketchbook) 1810 - 1820

Thomas Sully, a celebrated portrait painter, created these figure sketches, including battling equestrian, Roman Caesar type pointing, bloody brawl, etc. with pen and ink, sometime during his lifetime, 1783 to 1872. The figures depicted emerge from Sully's imagination, drawing from classical and historical themes popular during his time. These sketches, born from the artist’s hand, reveal the complex dance between power and vulnerability. We see scenes of conflict and dominance, yet there's also a raw exposure of the human form. Consider how the portrayal of violence and authority intertwines with the vulnerability of the sketched bodies. These quick sketches allow us to see a rawness of line and form not always apparent in the artist's more formal portraits. Sully navigates the representation of masculinity, class, and perhaps, the romanticized violence of historical narratives, inviting a conversation about the values embedded in these images. As you gaze upon these figures, allow yourself to contemplate the stories they evoke and the emotions they stir within you.