Esquisse d’une composition à nombreux personnages 

This is a preliminary sketch by the French artist Narcisse-Virgilio Diaz, known for his romantic landscape paintings. Titled "Esquisse d’une composition à nombreux personnages", the drawing features numerous figures rendered in loose, gestural strokes. Diaz's sketch is a study for a larger composition, displaying a clear interest in depicting the human form in a dynamic and expressive manner. The artist's use of graphite creates a sense of movement and energy, hinting at the lively scenes he sought to capture in his paintings. This work demonstrates Diaz's early development of his artistic style, which would later evolve into the more refined landscapes for which he is now known.