A Gardener and a Gentleman c. 1745

Jean Claude Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non, created this drawing, titled "A Gardener and a Gentleman," using pen and brown ink on paper. The artist employs brisk, confident lines to delineate the figures, creating a lively and immediate impression. Notice how Saint-Non uses varied line weights to define form and texture, from the delicate curls of the gentleman's wig to the more assertive strokes indicating the gardener's stance and dress. The composition invites us to consider the relationship between these two figures. The gentleman is seated and appears to be in conversation with the gardener. The linear quality of the drawing emphasizes surface and contour, which also suggests a deeper engagement with Enlightenment ideals of observation and representation. Saint-Non's "A Gardener and a Gentleman" captures a moment of social interaction, revealing as much about the era's interest in class and character as it does about the artist's skill with the pen. The loose handling of the ink suggests a fascination with capturing ephemeral moments.