French Oil Sketches

In 2000, through the generosity of The Ahmanson Foundation, LACMA acquired 46 oil sketches by major French artists from the mid-17th through the late 19th centuries. With the addition of 7 previously acquired sketches, LACMA has a total of 53 French oil sketches. This online catalogue places 20 oil sketches from LACMA's collection in the context of the works to which they relate. Sponsored by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the catalogue illustrates the use of oil sketches to develop compositions, study individual figures or the effect of light and atmospher, provide models for paintings, tapestries, or prints, and create records of finished paintings.