Cleveland Museum of Art

Two Dolls or Puppets Sitting on Cushions

Henri Joseph Harpignies

Date

c. 1870–80

Medium

Watercolor with graphite underdrawing on heavily textured wove paper

Culture

France, 19th century

Department

Drawings

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Henri Harpignies was best known for landscapes, and this sheet is a rare example of his still life practice. It belongs to a group of drawings created for his pupil, the Comtesse de Kermaingant, providing her with instruction in watercolor. Two dolls or puppets are propped on a pillow, allowing the comtesse to study the drapery of their costume and shadows of their placement on cushions. Harpignies made this drawing as an example for one of his pupils to study and emulate.

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