Man Seated, Holding Staff in Left Hand 1860s

Charles Samuel Keene made this drawing of a seated man sometime in the 19th century, using pen and brown ink on paper. The quick strokes of the pen give a sense of immediacy, as if Keene captured a fleeting moment. But what’s particularly striking is the way the material and process emphasizes the everyday. Unlike the grand oil paintings that were typical of fine art at the time, Keene chose humble materials and a direct technique. The brown ink, applied with simple cross-hatching, creates depth and shadow without pretense. We can imagine Keene sketching this figure quickly, perhaps in a pub or on the street. The subject matter reinforces this sense of the ordinary. The man, in his casual clothes and relaxed posture, isn’t a hero or a nobleman. He’s just a regular person, rendered with an honesty that transcends social barriers. Keene’s choice of materials and subject challenges the traditional hierarchy of art, elevating the everyday to something worthy of attention.