Arms – proportions and attitudes (1831)
John Rubens Smith1831 · Portrait · Public domain
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Provenance and rights
- Rights
- Public domain (artist died 1849)
Specifications
- Year
- 1831
- Nationality / school
- American
- Lifespan
- 1775–1849
About the artwork
Dated 1831, "Arms – proportions and attitudes" is an artwork by John Rubens Smith. Background on Drawings: Drawings range from quick preparatory sketches to finished works in pen, chalk, charcoal, graphite, or wash. Artists have long used drawings to plan paintings, sculptures, and buildings, so a sketch can show how an idea developed. Context for 1831: Landscape gained new prestige through groups such as the Barbizon painters in France and the Hudson River School in the United States, and by mid-century Realism turned to ordinary people and everyday labour. The first half of the nineteenth century moved from Neoclassicism to Romanticism, which placed emotion, nature, and the sublime at the centre of painting. It is listed in the Drawings collection. The image is in portrait orientation.
"Arms – proportions and attitudes" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. 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. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.
About the artist
American, 1775–1849
If you like the visual language of John Rubens Smith, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.
