The Luncheon on the Grass c. 1865

This charcoal drawing by Claude Monet, "The Luncheon on the Grass," is a preparatory study for the famous painting of the same name, created in 1865. Monet's drawing showcases his early development as an Impressionist artist. He uses loose, gestural lines and subtle shading to create a sense of spontaneity and movement in the figures and the surrounding landscape. The scene depicts a group of figures gathered for a picnic in a wooded setting, a common theme in Monet's early work. While a study for the famous painting, the drawing's focus on loose lines, subtle shading, and a sense of spontaneity is a characteristic of the Impressionist style.