pocherade

Pocherade is a term that appears only sporadically in art historical writing and does not have a widely standardized definition in major reference works. In many sources it is treated as a variant spelling or misreading of the French word pochade, which denotes a quick, loose study or sketch used in preparation for a finished work. Because it is not consistently attested as a distinct term, its meaning can vary by author and context.

When used in its more common association with pochade, pocherade refers to rapid, informal drawing or painting undertaken to capture composition, gesture, light, or mood rather than to produce a polished piece. The practice is understood as a preparatory exercise, serving as a provisional record or a conceptual stepping stone toward a larger or more finished work.

Geographically and linguistically, the term tends to appear in French-language sources and, less frequently, in translated or referenced discussions. Its rarity means there is no fixed disciplinary usage, and references to pocherade are more likely to be found in catalog notes, historical inventories, or studies focusing on terminology than in contemporary art discourse.

For readers encountering pocherade, it is advisable to examine the surrounding text to determine whether the author is employing pochade as a standard term or using a local spelling variation. In most cases, pocherade functions as a linguistic variant rather than representing a separate methodological category. Related terms include pochade, sketch, and study.