Sketchbook Drawing Charles Samuel Keene (1823-1891)

The drawing presents a study of what appears to be a musical instrument – specifically, a stringed instrument resembling a lute or mandolin. The artist has rendered it with quick, economical lines in brown ink on a cream-colored paper. There is an immediacy and spontaneity to the execution; the marks are loose and suggestive rather than precise and detailed.
The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the height of the instrument. The body of the lute dominates the central space, its curved form delineated with a series of overlapping lines that suggest both volume and texture. A neck extends upwards from the body, culminating in a headstock marked by small circular perforations – likely tuning pegs. These are indicated with simple dots, adding to the sketch’s preliminary feel.
The background is largely unadorned, save for faint traces of what might be earlier markings or smudges on the paper itself. This lack of context focuses attention entirely on the instrument and its form. The artists choice to depict it in this manner – a rapid, observational study – implies a focus on capturing essential characteristics rather than creating a finished work.
Subtly, the drawing conveys an impression of transience and process. It is not a polished presentation but a moment of observation and recording. This suggests that the artist was engaged in a process of understanding or replicating the instrument, perhaps as part of a larger study or preparation for another artwork. The sketch’s unfinished quality invites speculation about the artists intentions and working methods – a glimpse into the creative act itself.