Provenance
Edmond de Marcis (died 1900), Paris [Paris 1991]. Pierre Dubaut (died 1968) [Lugt 2103b]. Hans E. Bühler (died 1967), Winterthur, Switzerland, by 1953 [Winterthur 1953]; sold, Christie’s, London, November 15, 1985, lot 54, to E. V. Thaw and Company, New York, for the Art Institute, 1985.
Accession Number
104670
Medium
Watercolor, with black crayon and traces of pink gouache, over black chalk, on cream wove paper
Dimensions
25.8 × 21.3 cm (10 3/16 × 8 7/16 in.)
Classification
watercolor
Credit Line
The Regenstein Collection
Background & Context
Background Story
A watercolor and crayon drawing by Gericault over black chalk underdrawing depicting an Italian peasant with physical intensity and psychological attentiveness, revealing his layered working process and demonstrating the same qualities he brought to history painting.
Cultural Impact
Gericaults drawings of Italian peasants document the Romantic engagement with common people of Italy and the influence of Italian genre subjects on French Romantic art. The drawing demonstrates his ability to combine physical intensity with psychological attentiveness in watercolor.
Why It Matters
Watercolor and crayon drawing by Gericault of a seated Italian peasant, layered media over black chalk underdrawing.
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