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Head of a Man

Gilles Demarteau the Elder

1749

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century

Dominant colour

Head of a Man is a 1749 chalk by Gilles Demarteau the Elder, a Baroque work, 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 image is a red chalk drawing of a man's head, printed in red on laid paper. The man's face is turned slightly to the left, and his hair is long and wavy. His eyes are cast upward, and his mouth is slightly open. The drawing is done in a loose, expressive style, with bold lines and soft shading. The artist has used a range of values to create depth and dimension in the image, from the dark shadows under the man's eyes to the bright highlights on his forehead. The use of red chalk gives the drawing a warm, intimate feel, and the loose style suggests a sense of spontaneity and energy. For more works in this expressive style, explore the Baroque movement.