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A week ago Justice Stephen Breyer announced that he would be retiring from the Court later this term at the beginning of the summer recess. He will be missed, if not most of all then certainly to a great degree, by the sketch artists. He animates the bench with an extensive vocabulary of hand gestures and body language that makes it easy to tell a visual story, and his interminable hypotheticals allow ample time to capture the moment on paper.

Here are some sketches of Justice Breyer, chosen mostly at random not because of their historical significance but because they are the least bad drawings ( I always found it a challenge to limn this justice’s likeness ).

Charles J. Cooper, representing Senator Cruz, responds to Justice Breyer

Same -sex marriage argument, Hollingsworth v. Perry

Second amendment argument, DC v. Heller

Justice Breyer’s arm is in a sling under his robe after a bicycle fall

Justices Breyer & Scalia

Justice Breyer announces opinion in Aereo.

Justice Breyer with opinion of the Court on recess appointments.

Justice Breyer with opinion in Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission

Justice Breyer opinions in Venezuela v. Helmerich & Payne, and BOA v. Miami

Justice Breyer with opinion in Turner v. U.S.

Justice Breyer questions repondent’s lawyer, Kelsi B. Corkran.

Justice Breyer questions Deputy Solicitor General Jeffrey B. Wall

Justice Breyer with opinion in Lagos v. United States

Justice Breyer dissents inTrump v. Hawaii

Justice Thomas with opinion in NIFLA v. Becerra ( Justice Breyer, right, dissents ).

Justice Breyer dissents in Nielsen v. Preap

Justoce Breyer with opinion in Merck Sharp & Dohme v. Albrecht

Justice Breyer’s cell phone rings during arguments in Bristol-Myers Squibb