Artwork preview

Scene in a Palace of Justice

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an abstract scene. The drawing shows two main sections. On the left, there are rough outline sketches of figures in motion, with the central figure appearing more prominently in a larger cloak-like garment. The hinted architecture or framing around the figures suggests an interior space. On the right, within a separate outlined rectangle, there are two elongated figures, one seemingly pointing or gesturing towards the other. Below this, scribbled forms suggest a crowd of indistinct observers. The drawing is rendered in pencil with some areas of darker shading or ink and features abstract shading to the right, heightening the sense of depth or movement within the composition.

Artwork Details

Medium
black chalk with wash marks on brown paper
Dimensions
4658 × 3482 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette