Provenance

Christian Humann

1929 - 1981

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From our place on a dirt road, a row of buildings and houses extends from the right edge of this painting, into the distance and to our left in this vertical composition. People, all with light skin, come and go through doorways and hatches, work unloading goods next to a horse, and gather under a tattered awning down the road. Most of the people wear hats and dark clothing in tones of brown, black, and golden yellow, with a few touches of brick red. A jumble of objects, including a barrel, a wooden trap, and a ceramic vessel, and some chickens are gathered in the lower right corner of the panel, closest to us. A boy holding a long-necked vessel stands at an open hatch leading to an underground level of the structure nearby. That building has a large, steeply pitched, thatched dormer on a red tile roof. Green vines grow over parts of the peanut-brown stone and brick façade. A white stork with long legs and a long beak stands at a nest built on top of the chimney. A sign hangs above an open door, through which a person leans, and a birdcage hangs below the sign. In front of the open door, two men, one wearing a golden yellow vest and one wearing teal blue, unload large wooden barrels from a horse-drawn sled. The brown horse lifts one back foot off the ground, and the side of his hide is marked, perhaps with a sore. A tall tree with dark green leaves separates the building closest to us from its neighbor. A group of people and children are gathered under an awning there. One boy in the group pets a white, long-haired dog. Nearby, a man using crutches makes his way down the road toward us. A pair of dogs, one black and one brown and white, tussle over something in the lower left corner. The row of buildings extends in a line into the distance with steeply pitched, pointed rooflines. A tower, perhaps for a church, appears in the hazy distance to our left, near the left edge of the panel. Clouds with pale peach tops and lilac-gray undersides sweep across the sky above, parting to reveal on a couple slivers of blue sky beyond. The artist signed and dated the panel with black paint in the lower right corner: “Isack van Ostade 1645.”
Isack van Ostade, Workmen before an Inn, 1645, oil on panel, Gift of Richard A. and Lee G. Kirstein, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.64.1

Workmen before an Inn

Isack van Ostade · 1645 · oil on panel ·  Accession ID  1991.64.1

The image is an artwork featuring two main sections. In the upper section, there are sketches of three men and a figure resembling a bull on a platform. One man stands on the right, partially nude with a cloth around his waist. The other two men are on the left, interacting with each other and the structure. In the lower section, there are three figures; two are reclined on a rocky surface, draped in fabrics, and another figure is seated looking to the right. The figures are presented in a fluid, classical art style with soft facial features and distinct hair. The background is plain, highlighting the figures and their clothing.
Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non, Worship of the Golden Calf and Christ on the Mount of Olives, 1775, etching [counterproof] reworked in brown wash on laid paper, Gift of the Christian Humann Foundation, 1996.128.37

Worship of the Golden Calf and Christ on the Mount of Olives

Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non · 1775 · etching [counterproof] reworked in brown wash on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1996.128.37

This is a drawing of an elaborate classical scene. The image depicted a large architectural structure, resembling a grand portico or triumphal arch, adorned with sculptures and framed by trees. In front of the structure, there are figures engaged in various activities. The drawing captures the flowing robes and gestures of these figures, surrounded by trees and foliage. The composition is set against a backdrop of hills and buildings, adding depth. The artwork is executed with fine lines and shading.
Domenico Maria Fratta, Monument to William Chancellor Cowper, 1732, pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk on laid paper; partially pricked for transfer, Gift of the Christian Humann Foundation, 1996.128.17

Monument to William Chancellor Cowper

Domenico Maria Fratta · 1732 · pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk on laid paper; partially pricked for transfer ·  Accession ID  1996.128.17

This is a drawing of a scene involving horses and a carriage. The image shows several horses pulling a carriage down a street. In the foreground, one horse rears up while a figure stands beside it, arms raised. The carriage is drawn at an angle, suggesting movement, with details indicating speed. A running dog is also depicted near the foreground. The detailed lines and shading convey a sense of urgency and motion in the scene.
Eugène Delacroix, The Runaway Carriage, 1830s, pen and black ink on heavy laid paper on an old mount, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 2013.72.1

The Runaway Carriage

Eugène Delacroix · 1830s · pen and black ink on heavy laid paper on an old mount ·  Accession ID  2013.72.1

The image depicts a male figure in a seated position. The figure leans slightly to the left, with one leg extended outward and the other bent at the knee. His left arm reaches forward while the right arm is bent, holding an elongated object. The individual's facial features are not detailed, and the hair appears short or tied back. The person is dressed in a loose shirt and trousers. The background is plain, emphasizing the figure and clothing folds. No other objects or jewelry are visible.
Nicolas Lancret, Lady Seated on a See-Saw, red chalk on laid paper, Gift of the Christian Humann Foundation, 1996.128.24

Lady Seated on a See-Saw

Nicolas Lancret · · red chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1996.128.24

The image shows a rustic scene depicted from a direct point of view. The horizon is subtly indicated by lighter tones of the sky, with trees and rugged terrain defining its line. The illustration uses expressive brushstrokes to create texture and depth. The color palette is monochromatic, primarily in sepia tones, giving the artwork a warm, vintage feel. A figure dressed in rustic attire is mid-stride, with a cow reclining and a horse standing with its back turned. A small animal, possibly a cat, is curled up to the right. Dark lines in the background suggest movement among the trees, adding depth and tension to the image.
Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II, Animals in a Stable, red chalk on laid paper, Gift of the Christian Humann Foundation, 1996.128.26

Animals in a Stable

Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II · · red chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1996.128.26

The image depicts a drawing showing multiple full-body figures engaged in various activities. Central in the foreground, two figures, a man and a woman, appear to be interacting closely; the man is standing with one hand on his hip, wearing historical attire with breeches and a vest, while the woman beside him is in a dress with embellishments. To the left, three figures are seated around a table; an adult appears to be caring for a child, with the other adult figure draped in fabric. On the right, a group of figures is depicted ascending or descending a staircase, dressed in historical attire. The setting indicates an ornate interior space, possibly a grand hall, with large architectural features like columns and draped curtains adding depth and texture to the composition. The background is filled with architectural elements.
Luis Paret y Alcázar, Dance in a Palace, c. 1770/1775, pen and black ink with gray wash over graphite and squared in graphite on laid paper, Gift of the Christian Humann Foundation, 1996.128.31

Dance in a Palace

Luis Paret y Alcázar · c. 1770/1775 · pen and black ink with gray wash over graphite and squared in graphite on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1996.128.31

The pencil sketch depicts a scene with a horizon in the distance, trees, figures, and livestock below. A tree to the left provides shade to the gathered individuals. The drawing uses loose strokes and bold lines to outline elements, and a monochromatic palette conveys texture and form.
Eugène Boudin, Herdsmen and Cattle, 1877, graphite on wove paper, Gift of the Christian Humann Foundation, 1996.128.7

Herdsmen and Cattle

Eugène Boudin · 1877 · graphite on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1996.128.7

The image shows a riverside scene with a view slightly above the water, displaying the river, sailboats in the distance, a boat with rowers, a small house by the riverbank, and a village with a steeple. The style is monochromatic with various shades of gray and smooth brushstrokes. The sky has billowing clouds and birds flying above.
Nicolaas Wicart, Ameide on the River Lek, gray wash over black chalk on laid paper, Gift of the Christian Humann Foundation, 1996.128.36

Ameide on the River Lek

Nicolaas Wicart · · gray wash over black chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1996.128.36

The image shows a landscape with hills, valleys, a blue sky with clouds, distant mountains, a town or castle, people on a grassy cliff, a procession on a dirt path, and a lone tree. The painting uses delicate brushstrokes and a soft color palette of greens, blues, and earth tones.
Claude-Louis Châtelet, Second View of the Agrigento Countryside, 1778, pen and brown and black ink with watercolor and gray wash over graphite on laid paper, with a partial framing line in brown and gray ink, Gift of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Foundation for the Encouragement of the Arts in honor of J. Carter Brown for meritorious contribution to the world of arts, 1982.57.1

Second View of the Agrigento Countryside

Claude-Louis Châtelet · 1778 · pen and brown and black ink with watercolor and gray wash over graphite on laid paper, with a partial framing line in brown and gray ink ·  Accession ID  1982.57.1