Study for a 'Matrimonial Speculation' (1990)

Dated 1990, "Study for a 'Matrimonial Speculation'" is an artwork by Edwin Austin Abbey. 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 1990: Photography, film, and print culture became part of the language of art, and artists across the world developed their own responses to modernism. The range of materials widened to include acrylic paint, screen printing, and mixed media. It is listed in the Drawings collection. The image is in landscape orientation.

On onlly.art "Study for a 'Matrimonial Speculation'" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. 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. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

American, 1852–1911

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