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Un Pouilleux (Flea Seeker)

Mariano Fortuny Marsal

1856

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Nude

Dominant colour

Un Pouilleux (Flea Seeker) is a 1856 ink by Mariano Fortuny Marsal, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Mariano Fortuny Marsal
When & what style?: 1856 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a barefoot man standing sideways, shirtless and bare-chested, with his hands clasped in front. His body is drawn with quick, rough lines that leave some areas shadowy. The background is filled with loose, slanted strokes that look like light or fabric. The title *Un Pouilleux* hints this man might be searching for fleas—a common task in the past. The artist used a technique that lets ink pool in the lines, making the image look gritty and textured. Want to see more like this? Check out etching to learn how artists like this made prints.