Constantine Hertzberg (American, born Germany, 1833–1919). A Drawing Lesson, 1865. Black ink on thick, cream, smooth wove paper, Sheet: 10 9/16 x 6 3/4 in. (26.8 x 17.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Tom Cochran, 19.186 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 19.186_PS4.jpg)
Constantine Hertzberg (American, born Germany, 1833–1919). A Drawing Lesson, 1865. Black ink on thick, cream, smooth wove paper, Sheet: 10 9/16 x 6 3/4 in. (26.8 x 17.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Tom Cochran, 19.186 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 19.186_recto_IMLS_PS3.jpg)
Constantine Hertzberg (American, born Germany, 1833–1919). A Drawing Lesson, 1865. Black ink on thick, cream, smooth wove paper, Sheet: 10 9/16 x 6 3/4 in. (26.8 x 17.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Tom Cochran, 19.186 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 19.186_verso_IMLS_PS3.jpg)
A Drawing Lesson
Constantine Hertzberg
American Art
Constantine Hertzberg rendered this detailed scene with remarkably fine and precise ink lines. In addition to demonstrating his masterful draftsmanship, the drawing reflects changes related to artistic training and gender in the latter half of the nineteenth century. This period witnessed the rise of the professional female artist, for whom drawing was a key component of artistic training rather than merely a genteel amateur accomplishment. At the time he made this work, Hertzberg was a drawing instructor at the Cooper Union School of Design for Women in New York, so the subject of his image could be autobiographical.
MEDIUM
Black ink on thick, cream, smooth wove paper
DATES
1865
DIMENSIONS
Sheet: 10 9/16 x 6 3/4 in. (26.8 x 17.1 cm)
Image: 8 x 5 15/16 in. (20.3 x 15.1 cm) (show scale)
SIGNATURE
Unsigned
INSCRIPTIONS
On recto: inscribed lower right in pen, "13266"; and lower center in graphite, "from Mrs. Tom Cochran / 301 Clermont Rd. / Brooklyn"
On verso, inscribed in center in ink, "Composed and Drawn with the Pen. by Constantine Hertzberg. / Prof of Drawing and Perspective in the Brooklyn Polytechnique Institute and in / the Cooper Union. / August 1865."; and below in graphite, "see Karolik Coll. Vol. 1, p 186" and "D8209"
COLLECTIONS
American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
19.186
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mrs. Tom Cochran
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Constantine Hertzberg (American, born Germany, 1833–1919). A Drawing Lesson, 1865. Black ink on thick, cream, smooth wove paper, Sheet: 10 9/16 x 6 3/4 in. (26.8 x 17.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Tom Cochran, 19.186 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 19.186_PS4.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 19.186_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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