Artwork preview

Head of a Man

Seth Wells Cheney

National Gallery of Art

This is an image of a grayscale sketch showing only the head of a man. The man's head is drawn in a straightforward position, positioned slightly to the right from the viewer's perspective. His facial features include a smooth complexion with prominent cheeks, strong, slightly curved eyebrows above almond-shaped eyes, firm lips, and a composed expression. His hair appears to be styled back smoothly, with some detailing around the sideburns and hints of curls near the ears. The man's clothing is drawn with minimal detail, but it suggests he is wearing an elegant suit with a high collar and a cravat or necktie. The background is plain, uncluttered, and matches the natural color of the sketching paper. There are no visible accessories or objects with the man. The entire portrait is deliberately understated, focusing attention on the man's face and expression.

Artwork Details

Date
1840-1854
Medium
charcoal with white chalk on wove paper
Dimensions
2871 × 4000 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
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