Artwork
H. Wood Sullivan - "The Shaver"
H. Wood Sullivan - "The Shaver" is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Jefferson David Chalfant. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:across top in graphite: H. Wood Sullivan "The Shaver" JD Chalfant; across bottom in graphite by unknown hand: Point Of St.20[n?] down from Hor.him; lower right in graphite by unknown hand: 12465H&A / B
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1895, The Shaver is a graphite drawing executed on aged brown sulphured wove paper whose reverse side was darkened to facilitate transfer. The work presents a tightly framed view of a straight razor and its accompanying strop, rendered with a high degree of realism that invites close inspection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a moment of personal grooming: a man is depicted shaving while concentrating on his reflection in a mirror. By isolating this quotidian act, the drawing foregrounds the intimacy of everyday routines and the careful attention given to self‑care in the late nineteenth century.
Technique & Style
Employing graphite on a textured, brown paper, the artist achieves subtle tonal variations that model the metallic sheen of the razor and the softness of the strop. The blackened verso aids in transferring the image, while the careful handling of light and shadow reflects chiaroscuro principles, enhancing the illusion of three‑dimensional form.
History & Provenance
The piece is attributed to Jefferson David Chalfant, an American painter noted for trompe‑l'œil still lifes. Although primarily recognized for painted works, this drawing extends his interest in visual deception to the medium of drawing, demonstrating his versatility across formats.
Context
During the 1890s, American artists increasingly explored realism and illusionism, often focusing on domestic objects to challenge viewers’ perception. The Shaver aligns with this trend, employing meticulous detail to blur the boundary between representation and reality, a hallmark of trompe‑l'œil practice.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jefferson David Chalfant (November 6, 1856 – February 3, 1931) was an American painter who is remembered mostly for his trompe-l'œil still life paintings.
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