Young Woman's Hands and Beribboned Hat

French 19th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an arm and hands with an adjacent still-life element. The drawing depicts a bent arm resting on fabric or drapery with two hands, one resting over the other. The outlines and shading are done using pencil. Beside the arm on the lower portion of the page, there is a sketch of an abstract or amorphous still-life object. The background is plain, allowing the sketch to be the main focal point. The style suggests it is a preliminary study or practice sketch, showcasing careful observation of anatomy.