Studies of Field Laborers (from Sketchbook VII) 1886

"Studies of Field Laborers (from Sketchbook VII)" is a pencil drawing on paper by American artist William Trost Richards. This intimate, small-scale work, created in 1886, is a study of field laborers in their working poses. Richards, known for his landscapes and marine paintings, captured the essence of these figures with quick, gestural lines, likely made on-site. The drawing offers a glimpse into the artist's creative process, highlighting his observational skills and interest in capturing human subjects in their natural environment. This sketchbook page, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a valuable document of Richards's artistic practice and a testament to his keen eye for detail.