Esquisses

Esquisses is a French term that translates to sketches or drafts in English. In art and related fields, the word denotes preliminary drawings or studies created to plan a larger work. Esquisses are typically executed quickly with media such as pencil, charcoal, ink, or wash, prioritizing gesture, composition, light, and spatial relations over finished detail. They serve as explorations of form, proportion, perspective, and color relationships, allowing an artist to test ideas before committing to a final painting, sculpture, or design. Because they capture process and decision-making, esquisses are valued for insights into an artist’s working methods and creative decisions. Museums and archives sometimes collect and present groups of esquisses to illustrate studio practice or a particular period or school.

Beyond visual art, the term also appears in literature and music with a related sense. In writing, esquisses can designate provisional outlines, prose fragments, or vignette-like studies that form part of a larger project. In music, “Esquisses” may refer to a set of short sketches or exercises—collections that reveal ideas, motifs, or contrasts that could inform more substantial works, or that stand as standalone studies.

Because esquisses function as a broad category rather than a single definitive work, the exact reference of a specific use depends on context, year, and creator. In art historical discourse, esquisses are regarded as an integral component of the creative process that leads to completed works, while in contemporary usage they can also be the title or thematic focus of exhibitions, publications, or musical collections.