Madonna With Christ and John Baptist [?]; Three Cherubs; Standing Classical Female Figure, Holding Bowl (from Sketchbook) 1810 - 1820

Thomas Sully, a prominent American painter, created this sketch between 1810-1820, which is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. The sketch features four figures: a Madonna, Christ, John the Baptist, and a classical female figure holding a bowl, as well as three cherubs. While incomplete, this sketch provides a glimpse into Sully’s process, showcasing his deft use of line to capture form and gesture. The figures' postures and drapery are rendered with an economy of line, suggesting Sully's skillful understanding of anatomy and form. This drawing is an essential artifact in tracing the artistic development of Thomas Sully, a figure central to the American art scene.