Two of the Three Graces, from San Giovanni Laterano

Two of the Three Graces, from San Giovanni Laterano by Jacques-Louis David is a masterful example of French draftsmanship from the Neoclassical period. Executed between 1775 and 1780, this influential drawing utilizes black ink and gray wash over a preparatory graphite sketch on laid paper. This precise combination of materials allowed David to rapidly capture and analyze sculptural form and light, a critical exercise during his formative Roman sojourn.

David created this study while on his first trip to Rome, where he meticulously recorded examples of ancient sculpture housed in major collections, including those at the Basilica of San Giovanni Laterano. The drawing exemplifies the rigorous academic approach David embraced, which was essential to the burgeoning Neoclassical movement flourishing in the period spanning 1751 to 1775. The subject, drawn from the classical representation of two of the three goddesses of charm, beauty, and fertility, demonstrates the artist's dedication to idealized form and historical precision.

The technique employed in this piece highlights David's emerging genius. The foundational graphite establishes the contours and proportions, while the application of gray wash skillfully renders chiaroscuro and volume, translating the texture of marble into two dimensions. This essential study contributed significantly to David’s aesthetic development, informing his later, large-scale compositions.

This original drawing is preserved in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As a significant historical work demonstrating the early development of one of France's most important artists, high-quality reference prints and digital access to this drawing are often made available through museum resources or the public domain, ensuring its continued study by scholars worldwide.