Alfred Stevens
1884
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1884
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with short hair and a light beard. He’s turned slightly to the side, looking calm, with his collar showing just a hint of a shirt. The drawing is soft, with faint shading to show his face and neck. The artist used smooth lines to keep it simple and focused. This kind of portrait was common in the late 1800s, where artists aimed to capture a person’s character without extra details. Look up sfumato next to see how artists like this used soft blending.
