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Head of a Faun

Gilles Demarteau the Elder

1749

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century Satyr

Dominant colour

Head of a Faun is a 1749 chalk by Gilles Demarteau the Elder, a Baroque work, depicting Satyr, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Gilles Demarteau the Elder
When & what style?: 1749 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a faun's head in profile. Soft brown chalk marks shade the wild curls and pointed ears. The eyes catch light just enough to seem alive. This isn't a painting—it's a print made with a special technique called "chalk manner." The artist carved a metal plate, then rubbed chalk into the grooves to print this image. It looks like a drawing but is actually a copy. Check out this print in person at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.