Six Studies Of Figures Drawn In Red Chalk, France, 18th Century

These six sanguine studies, framed in groups of three, come from the sketchbook of an 18th-century French artist.
They depict male and female figures captured in moments of everyday life, seemingly engaged in conversation (as evidenced by the movement of their arms), or at rest, such as the charming study of a man carrying a child.
Quickly drawn, these sanguine sketches focus on rendering drapery, the details of clothing, and the truthfulness of poses.
These studies were certainly intended for a larger composition, likely composed of several groups of figures, as is frequently found in the works of Antoine Watteau and his contemporaries.
The sanguine, or red chalk, widely used in the 18th century, lends a distinctive colorful charm to the drawings of this period, giving them a unique vibrancy.