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Griff

Francis Seymour Haden

1864

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

Griff is a 1864 graphite by Francis Seymour Haden, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Francis Seymour Haden
When & what style?: 1864 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a loose, quick drawing of a person’s head turned slightly away. The lines are rough and wavy, especially around the hair and neck, giving it a sketchy, unfinished feel. The face is simple—just a few strokes for the eyes, nose, and mouth. The artist didn’t smooth out the lines, making it look like a fast study rather than a polished portrait. This style was common for practice sketches back then. Next, check out Realism to see how artists used simple, direct drawings to show everyday life.