Yale Center for British Art

Title:

Draughts.

Published / Created:

[Great Britain], late 19th century.

Physical Description:

1 drawing : watercolor ; 17 x 25 cm

Holdings:

Rare Books and Manuscripts
P304 .D73+ Oversize
Yale Center for British Art, Gift of David Doret, Yale BA 1968, and Linda Mitchell

Copyright Status:

Classification:

Drawings & Watercolors

Notes:

Title written in graphite, in the lower center area of the drawing.

Watercolor over graphite.

A visual pun on the many senses of the word "draughts." In a single composition, the watercolor depicts: a horse (or mule) pulling a canal boat; a young man, with pencil in hand, over a blank page; two men at opposite sides of the river bank, drawing a net for fish; an archer drawing his bow; a man drawing a beverage (presumably beer) from a large mug; two boys engaged in a game of draughts (checkers); the drawing of funds in a balance book.

The artist and date are unidentified. It's possible that the young man depicted prominently with pencil and drawing book is in fact a self-portrait.

Subject Terms:

Drawing. | Plays on words. | Wit and humor.

Form/Genre:

Watercolors.