Head of a Boy Seen from Behind
1885
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1885
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
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.