Men Pulling Ropes c. 1876

"Men Pulling Ropes" is a pencil sketch by American painter John Singer Sargent, created around 1876. The drawing depicts a group of men pulling ropes, captured in a series of quick, gestural lines. Sargent's masterful use of line and shading conveys the dynamism and energy of the scene, highlighting the intense effort of the figures as they strain against the ropes. This work exemplifies Sargent's early exploration of the human form and his fascination with capturing movement. It showcases the artist's ability to convey motion and emotion with great economy of means, characteristic of his later, more elaborate works.