An Execution 1700 - 1800

"An Execution" is an anonymous 18th-century drawing depicting a gruesome scene of a man being hanged. The execution is taking place on a ladder, and the condemned man's body hangs limply, while a crowd of people watches on. The drawing is a small, intimate work, measuring just 6-3/4 x 5-1/4 in. (17.1 x 13.3 cm), and is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The drawing uses a wash technique, creating a sense of hazy distance and emphasizing the emotional impact of the subject matter. This work provides a glimpse into the dark side of human nature and the brutal reality of executions in the 18th century.