1873
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Bust of a Girl is a 1873 ink by Paul Cezanne, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a woman’s face and shoulders turned slightly to the side. Her hair is drawn in quick, tangled lines, and her expression is calm but serious. The background is just a few loose strokes, leaving most of the paper plain. The artist used a tool called a roulette—tiny wheels pressed into the plate—to create the fine, dotted texture on her hair and clothes. It’s a way to add detail without heavy lines. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this one build layers with acid and ink.
Paul Cézanne was born on January 19, 1839, in Aix-en-Provence, the son of a hatter turned wealthy banker.
See the richer artist page
