“Injured Innocence,” created by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge in 1878, is a piece that falls under the Romanticism art movement. The artwork is categorized as a sketch and study, reflecting the artist’s detailed and expressive approach within this genre.
The artwork portrays a somber and introspective figure, adorned in tattered clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. The subject’s expression is one of deep contemplation, resonating with themes of hardship and resilience. The meticulous detail in the hat and the textures of the clothing exemplify Coolidge’s skill in capturing the nuanced interplay of light and shadow. The background, rendered with an array of fine lines, enhances the central figure’s presence, drawing the viewer’s focus to the subject’s compelling visage.