Pencil sketch of a group of caricatured musicians playing instruments, with a large double bass at center on tan paper.

The Muses: Pencil Sketch of a Musical Group

A pencil sketch on tan paper shows a loose group of figures playing instruments, including a tall double bass held by a seated musician at center. Caricatured faces and sketchy outlines suggest a lively, comic street-music scene.

Artist: David Claypoole Johnston
Date: ca. 1831
Medium
Source: Smithsonian (Smithsonian American Art Museum)
Size: 2362 × 1396 px

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Public domain · Smithsonian (Smithsonian American Art Museum) releases this image under CC0 (latest date 1836).
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: CC0 (Smithsonian Open Access)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian American Art Museum

19th century caricature drawing pencil sketch tan paper figure group musicians music american drawing double bass