Bummers (1861-1876)

Dated 1861-1876, "Bummers" is an artwork by Edwin Forbes. The catalogue places it in Drawings. The format is landscape. Drawings, a short history: Because line carries so much of the effect, drawings tend to reward close looking at the quality of the mark. Artists have long used drawings to plan paintings, sculptures, and buildings, so a sketch can show how an idea developed. About the period around 1861-1876: In the 1890s, colour lithography and Art Nouveau made the illustrated poster a celebrated art form. Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do.

Everything for "Bummers" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Drawings and sketches stand out through line clarity and a sense of the artist process, which makes them a natural fit for minimalist, monochrome, and graphic interiors. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

American, 1839–1895

If you like the visual language of Edwin Forbes, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.