Study for "The Death of Major Peirson": Group of Dying French Officers 1782 - 1783

This graphite drawing, created between 1782 and 1783 by renowned American painter John Singleton Copley, is a preparatory study for his monumental painting "The Death of Major Peirson." The sketch depicts a group of French officers, their figures rendered in loose, expressive lines, capturing the chaotic moment of the battle. The figures are arranged in a dynamic composition, their bodies contorted in a mix of pain and defiance, suggesting the ferocity of the battle scene. This study highlights Copley’s masterful skill in capturing the human form and his ability to translate a historical event into a powerful visual narrative. The drawing is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.