Artwork
Head of a Man
Head of a Man is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in unknown hand, center verso: 136 / 5 / 680 / 249 (multiplication problem)
About this work
Overview
This 1844 drawing, Head of a Man, is a work on laid paper in black chalk with colored washes. It is by Honoré Daumier, a French artist known for his work in multiple mediums.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing is a study of a man's head, showcasing Daumier's ability to capture expressive human features. His work often featured exaggerated characteristics, reflecting his background in caricature.
Technique & Style
Daumier's use of black chalk and colored washes on laid paper demonstrates his skill with various artistic mediums. The drawing's style is consistent with his caricatural work, seen in publications such as La Caricature and Le Charivari.
Context
The work was created during a period of social and political upheaval in France. Daumier's art often critiqued the structures of his time, and this drawing may be seen as part of that broader commentary.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier (French: ; 26 February 1808 – 10 or 11 February 1879) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the…
![Head of a Man [recto], by Théodore Géricault](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/theodore-gericault--head-of-a-man-recto--d6e68ba78da40efa-w320.webp)