Man Playing a Cello

Man Playing a Cello — Nicolas Lancret. c. 1725–30.

Medium: red chalk on antique laid paper. Dimensions: Sheet: 20.7 x 16 cm (8 1/8 x 6 5/16 in.); Mounted: 25.7 x 21.1 cm (10 1/8 x 8 5/16 in.).

Collection record: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland. Museum connection according to this source; current display unverified.

Nicolas Lancret was known for his use of red chalk, the medium used in this sheet. It depicts a cellist, who Lancret would later incorporate into an oil painting showing an outdoor concert. Here, the artist sketched the man’s form and, in the upper right corner, carefully focused on the position and tense grip of his hand on the bow.

Source: official collection record. Metadata selected and normalized by Artline from the source export, accessed 10 September 2026; no museum endorsement. Reproduction rights are separate.