Head of a Boy Seen from Behind

Head of a Boy Seen from Behind

Paul Cezanne

1885

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a boy’s head and shoulders seen from behind. The lines are quick, rough strokes—some thick, some faint—like a sketch done fast. The paper has a yellowish tint, and the drawing is loose, almost like scribbles. The artist left big patches of blank paper, making the head look half-finished. It’s not polished, but that’s the point—it feels like a moment caught in motion. Want to see more sketches like this? Check out Realism for artists who focused on everyday moments.

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