Sketchbook Drawing Charles Samuel Keene (1823-1891)

The drawing presents a vertical arrangement of three figures rendered in a rapid, gestural style using graphite on paper. The overall impression is one of immediacy and observation, suggesting a study undertaken directly from life or memory.
At the top, we see a woman’s face depicted in profile. Her hair is elaborately styled, adorned with what appears to be a floral arrangement. The lines are loose and expressive, capturing not precise detail but rather an impression of elegance and perhaps a touch of theatricality. A small, quick sketch of a tree branch or plant stem sits adjacent to this portrait.
The central figure dominates the composition: a seated man in a chair. He is positioned three-quarter view, his face partially obscured by the brim of a hat. The artist has focused on capturing the contours of his facial features and the folds of his clothing with short, energetic strokes. A small, indistinct shape to his left might represent an animal – perhaps a dog or cat – suggesting a domestic setting. The chair itself is rendered with minimal detail, serving primarily as a structural element for the figure’s posture.
Below the seated man, we find another portrait, this time of a person viewed from behind. Only the back of the head and shoulders are visible. The lines here are even more abbreviated than in the other portraits, emphasizing the quickness of the observation. A suggestion of clothing is indicated by short, parallel strokes.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette and rough execution contribute to its character as a preliminary study or sketchbook page. Theres an intentional lack of refinement; the artist seems less concerned with achieving photographic realism than with capturing essential forms and gestures. The arrangement of the figures – stacked vertically – creates a sense of layering, suggesting a sequence of observations or perhaps different facets of a single subject. Subtly, it hints at a narrative, though one left open to interpretation.