Head of a Man Wearing a Plumed Turban
1772
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1772
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Head of a Man Wearing a Plumed Turban is a 1772 chalk by Gilles Demarteau the Elder, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a man’s head turned slightly away, his chin resting on his fingers. He wears a tall, feathered turban that looks light and airy. The background is plain, so all the focus stays on his face and hat. The artist used soft chalk and red outlines to create a mix of dark and light tones. This makes the man’s face look three-dimensional, even though it’s just a sketch. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how this technique works.
