Sketches of Female Nude and Hands

Francis Augustus Lathrop's anatomical studies demonstrate the foundational drawing practice that informed American illustration in the 1890s. These sketches of a reclining female figure and detail studies of hands reveal the classical training underlying commercial art production. Lathrop, a prominent designer and illustrator, used such compositional studies to develop the figure work that appeared in his book illustrations and decorative designs. The economical line work and varied poses reflect the working method of artists preparing materials for reproductive printing technologies of the era.