An Elegant Woman with Her Hands Covering Her Eyes

Walter Gramatté

National Gallery of Art

This image is a portrait drawing featuring a side profile of a person's upper body. The individual is positioned in such a way that only the head, neck, and shoulder area are visible, with the face turned to the side. The person's facial features are defined with delicate strokes, showcasing a prominent, softly shaded cheek and slightly colored lips. The hair appears to be swept back, depicted with flowing lines, and it has a light, airy texture that makes it seem voluminous. One of the person's hands is raised and rests softly on the side of the head, with delicate fingers lightly touching the forehead and surrounding the hair. The drawing is executed on a sheet of beige paper, which adds a warm tone to the composition. The sketches and shadings are created using a combination of color pencils or pastels, offering a range of colors from reds and blues to shades of black. The background is left unadorned, allowing the focus to remain on the artistic lines and the ethereal quality of the subject.