This is a drawing of a group of people gathered together in a room. The drawing features several figures engaged in an activity involving a table. Some figures have well-defined outlines, while others are only suggested by faint strokes. The composition is centered around a table, with figures placed around it in various poses. Light and shadow are used to imply depth and the play of light across the scene. The drawing style is minimalistic yet expressive, with a sense of motion and interaction conveyed through deliberate strokes.
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This is a drawing of a group of people gathered together in a room. The drawing features several figures engaged in an activity involving a table. Some figures have well-defined outlines, while others are only suggested by faint strokes. The composition is centered around a table, with figures placed around it in various poses. Light and shadow are used to imply depth and the play of light across the scene. The drawing style is minimalistic yet expressive, with a sense of motion and interaction conveyed through deliberate strokes.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Family Group

Sir David Wilkie

Date
1835
Medium
pen and brown ink with brown wash on wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 7.5 x 9.9 cm (2 15/16 x 3 7/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1995.52.202
Credit line
Gift of William B. O'Neal
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Scottish
  • family
  • figure
Provenance

Mrs. N.C. Butler; (Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd., London); purchased by William B. O'Neal, Charlottesville, VA, 1967-1994; gift to NGA, 1995. Mrs. N.C. Butler was a descendant of a friend of the artist's (according to O'Neal records).

Inscription

lower right in brown ink: 1st Jany 1835

NGA object ID 76191. 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.