Head of an Old Man

British 19th Century

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a sketch of an elderly man's upper body, specifically from the shoulders up. He is depicted in a seated or slightly bent forward position with his head slightly tilted down, and his hand is raised and touching his chin. The man's facial features are detailed with pronounced brow lines, a large nose, and a wrinkled forehead. His hair is drawn short and sparse, with some stray strokes hinting at thin locks. He appears to be wearing a loose-fitting garment, hinted at by simple lines and shading around his shoulders and chest. There are no visible jewelry or objects held in the sketch. The background is plain and unadorned, consisting of light sketch marks on a textured surface.