Mastery of the human form was critical to the success of an American artist in the 19th century. For many decades American artists lagged behind their European counterparts because of inadequate training in art school. Many felt that they not only lacked the skill to represent the anatomy but also there was no local audience to appreciate the subject matter. Noted Rhode Island artists such as Charles Walter Stetson critiqued his early work for, "my weak modeling and my lack of grace are quite apparent ,…"(1879). With the founding of Rhode Island School of Design in 1878, classroom art instruction significantly improved and so did the excellence of the figure by regional artists. A fine sampling of the development of figure drawing and evolving trends in figurative rendering is found in this gallery section.

Rebecca Russell Greene Young Girl with Bow Oil on Canvas 10” x 14”       Arthur Heintzleman Girl holding a cat Etching 10” x 9” Signed lower right inscribed lower left: To Jacqueline Thurber. AWH.       Grace Albee Breton Types wood engraving 2" x 3" 20th Century         Robert Thornton Committee acrylic on canvas 38" x 48" Contemporary         James Drummond Herbert Garden Goddess sepia drawing 10" x 12.5" 20th Century         James Drummond Herbert Odalisque Resting watercolor 8.5" x 11" 20th Century         Edna Martin Sailor Series charcoal on paper 8" x 12" 20th Century         Paula Martiesian Dewey, 1989 oil on Linen 30" x 36" Contemporary               James Herbert Lyre Bird Show Girl Oil on Board 16" x 20" Early 20th Century         Robert Thornton Baseball acrylic on canvas 66" x 90" Contemporary         James Herbert Flag Dance #2 Oil on canvas 16” x 20” Early 20th Century         Edna Martin Sailor Series Charcoal 13” x 9” 20th Century

Arthur Heintzleman Young Beauty Etching 11 3⁄4” x 9” ed. 90 signed lower left       James Drummond Herbert Capulet Soldier Watercolor 11" x 6" Early 20th Century         Denise Baxter Pensive oil on canvas 30" x 40" Contemporary         James Drummond Herbert Classic Torso watercolor 6.5" x 11.5" 20th Century       Arthur Heintzleman Girl with a feather in her hat Etching 12” x 10” Signed lower right inscribed lower right: To Nancy       Ruth Forrest Flat Crepe / Evening Attire pen and ink 11 " x 14" 20th Century         Gordon Peers Arranging Roses Oil on Canvas 25" x 30" 20th Century         Eliza Gardiner Child Wading with Umbrella Woodcut 9" x 11" Early 20th Centruy         James Drummond Herbert Paris Model with Hat Oil on canvas 18 x 22 Early 20th Century         Eliza Gardiner Big Sister and Two Children Lithograph, 12” x 9” Early 20th Century         James Herbert Clown Watercolor 11” x 7.5” Early 20th Century         James Herbert Flag Dance #1 Oil on canvas 20” x 16” Early 20th Century         G. Prvd’homme Elderly Woman Bronze Plaque 3.75” x 3” 20th Century         Paula Martiesian Sunday Afternoon Oil on linen 20” x 24” Contemporary