Six Figural Compositions, Some Possibly of Life of Christ (E.G.: Scourage at Pillar, Upper Left) (from Sketchbook) 1810 - 1820

Thomas Sully made these six figural compositions with pen and ink on paper sometime in the 19th century. The immediacy of the medium lends itself to sketching, a process rooted in the direct translation of thought to paper. The nature of pen and ink dictates a certain economy of line, where each stroke must count towards the overall image. Sully’s rapid strokes give the work an energetic quality, but also suggest the effort and skill required to distill complex scenes into simple forms. We can see the artist making quick decisions, editing and refining his compositions in real time. This is apparent in the artist’s concentration of figures in the lower register of the work, and the sparse use of detail in the sketched background. The sketchbook format emphasizes the tentative nature of the works, and reminds us of the many hours of practice and labor that underpin every masterpiece. By focusing on the processes and materials of art, we gain a deeper appreciation for the skill, tradition, and creative problem-solving involved in its creation.