Old Gérard, Peasant from Chasselay
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white drawing of an older man sitting still. He’s wearing a loose coat over a shirt with buttons, and his hands rest on his lap. The background is plain, so all the focus is on his face and clothes. The artist used shading to show wrinkles and fabric texture, making the man look real. This style was common in the 1700s for portraits. Look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
