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Drawings

Drawing is a two-dimensional art form accomplished with many different mediums. Graphite pencils or ink and paper are most popular, but drawings can be done with a variety of color and monochrome utensils on cardboard, plastic, leather, or canvas. While it has transformed into a 21st-century art form through technological tools for the phone, tablet, and computer, drawing is one of the earliest creative endeavors. Homo sapiens began to draw as a way to communicate with one another before written language was developed.

The use of drawing in the arts increased exponentially when paper became readily available to the masses in the 14th century. During the Renaissance, drawing was brought to the forefront as a means to depict realistic forms, geometry, and philosophy. Although masters like da Vinci, Durer, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Rubens, Degas, van Gogh, and Picasso are all accomplished draughtsmen, drawing is often thought of as an intermediate form of art. Some artists employ underdrawing as a preparatory step in their painting, and many use it to flesh out their ideas before beginning a finished product in paint or marble.

After the advent of photography, drawing moved to the background as a way to realistically depict figures and environments; however, it is still used today as a primary or secondary form of artistic expression. Drawings command equally high prices at auction as paintings or sculptures. “Beach Scene with a Boat” by contemporary artist Lucian Freud sold for $4.3 million at Sotheby’s London in 2011, a record for a drawing by that artist. A year later, a Raphael sketch called “Head of a Young Apostle” sold at the same house for $47.8 million, an overall record for a work on paper to that date.

Recommended Items at Auction

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Gravier, the medaillon portrait of Mademoiselle de Lambese, 16 x 20 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
Gravier, the medaillon portrait of Mademoiselle de Lambese, 16 x 20 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
E. Grosgarin (?), 57,5 x 71,5 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
E. Grosgarin (?), 57,5 x 71,5 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $600- $1,000
$3000 Bids
Jules Guiette (1852-1901), 64 x 99 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
Jules Guiette (1852-1901), 64 x 99 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
Albert Servaes (1883-1966), 71 x 75 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
Albert Servaes (1883-1966), 71 x 75 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$1,5000 Bids
Georges Minne (1866-1941), 18 x 31 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
Georges Minne (1866-1941), 18 x 31 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Armand Rassenfosse (1862-1934), 25,5 x 26,5 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
Armand Rassenfosse (1862-1934), 25,5 x 26,5 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $600- $800
$3000 Bids
Armand Rassenfosse (1862-1934), 21,5 x 31,5 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
Armand Rassenfosse (1862-1934), 21,5 x 31,5 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids
A collection of four 19th and 20thC drawings, 172 x 240 - 245 x 352 mm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
A collection of four 19th and 20thC drawings, 172 x 240 - 245 x 352 mm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
After Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), 193 x 249 mm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
After Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), 193 x 249 mm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
A collection of 7 Old Master drawings, 17th - 19thC, 96 x 124 - 317 x 402 mm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
A collection of 7 Old Master drawings, 17th - 19thC, 96 x 124 - 317 x 402 mm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $600- $800
$3000 Bids
A collection of four fine Old Master drawings, 16th - 17th/18thC, 130 x 192 - 214 x 309 mm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
A collection of four fine Old Master drawings, 16th - 17th/18thC, 130 x 192 - 214 x 309 mm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids
Two fine recto-verso academic study drawings, 28 x 38 - 29 x 44 cm
Feb 20, 11:00 AM EST
Two fine recto-verso academic study drawings, 28 x 38 - 29 x 44 cm
by SSA-smokehouse
Est: $600- $800
$3000 Bids

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