Rough, preliminary version of a composition. The term can be used for preparatory drawings, paintings or sculptural modelli (see Drawing, Modello and Oil sketch). By the late 18th century it was also applied to small, rapidly executed drawings made for pleasure and practice, with no other final work in mind.
From Grove Art Online
© 2009 Oxford University Press
If you are interested in reproducing images from The Museum of Modern Art web site, please visit the Image Permissions page (www.moma.org/permissions). For additional information about using content from MoMA.org, please visit About this Site (www.moma.org/site).
© Copyright 2011 The Museum of Modern Art
