Head of a Young Woman

Head of a Young Woman

Seth Wells Cheney

1847

charcoal

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a simple charcoal drawing of a woman’s head and shoulders. Her hair is pulled back into a smooth bun, and she’s wearing a plain, high-necked dress. The background is just a light, even tone—no extra details. The artist used soft shading to show her face, making it look gentle and calm. The lines are loose but controlled, giving it a quiet, sketchy feel. Next, look up scumbling to see how artists like this one create texture with chalk.

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