While the time he spent in France was short, the effect that it had on the art of Patterson was great. He lived in Petite Andeley, only an hour’s drive from Claude Monet’s home and studio in Giverny. He would visit Monet, who had a profound and lasting influence on the young Patterson.

Monet owned a vast collection of Japanese prints and illustrations, which influenced his own impressionist style, and inspired Patterson’s illustrations, with elongated proportions, strong contour lines, and essential details.

This drawing by Patterson illustrates these principles in action, illustrating a sexual a woman in the center contrasted next to the two very simple male characters in the back. Detail, and the lack thereof is used to great success, as he tantalizes the viewer with suggestive poses and ideas.

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