Voltaire
1790
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1790
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a red-brown sketch of a man’s face and shoulders. His hair is curly, and he wears a wide-brimmed hat. The lines are rough but full of texture, like tiny dots packed together. The background is plain, so the face stands out clearly. The words below are in French, quoting Voltaire himself. The date 1790 is written in the corner—this was made after his death. The technique uses tiny dots to build up shadows and light. Want to see more? Try looking up engraving.