Head of a Man

Head of a Man

Honoré Daumier

1844

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man’s head and shoulders, drawn in loose, quick lines. His face is mostly blurred, with just a few details—like his beard and the curve of his lips—standing out. The clothes are simple, with a dark collar and a hint of blue under the chin. The artist used watercolor and ink to keep things rough and sketchy, almost like a quick note. This style makes the drawing feel alive, even though it’s not perfectly finished. Next, check out Honoré Daumier to see more of his bold, expressive work.

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