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The image shows abstract, sketchy lines and shapes that suggest an incomplete or rough draft. Dominant horizontally oriented forms appear at the top of the sketch, complemented by descending vertical lines, creating a sense of depth. Two prominent shapes below resemble triangles or bells, which could be interpreted as light fixtures or hanging baskets. The shapes imply a structured and abstract representation of a scene with horizontal and vertical elements.
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The image shows abstract, sketchy lines and shapes that suggest an incomplete or rough draft. Dominant horizontally oriented forms appear at the top of the sketch, complemented by descending vertical lines, creating a sense of depth. Two prominent shapes below resemble triangles or bells, which could be interpreted as light fixtures or hanging baskets. The shapes imply a structured and abstract representation of a scene with horizontal and vertical elements.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Sailing Ship [verso]

Edward Lear

Date
1839/1845
Medium
black chalk on light brown wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 22.3 x 29.3 cm (8 3/4 x 11 9/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1995.52.100.b
Credit line
Gift of William B. O'Neal
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • British
  • Italy
  • landscape
  • Ship
  • travel
Provenance

(Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd., London); purchased by William B. O'Neal, Charlottesville, VA, 1976-1994; gift to NGA, 1995.

Inscription

by later hand, upper center in graphite: E600; by later hand, lower right in graphite: J2801 / Lear

NGA object ID 76076. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.