Banditti: Three Heads
1780
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1780
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Banditti: Three Heads is a 1780 ink by Joseph Haynes, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows three men with wild hair and beards, all wearing hats. One has a turban, another a slouchy cap, and the third’s hat is partly hidden. Their faces are drawn in sharp lines, with heavy shadows under the eyes. One man holds a curved sword, another a small box with a face carved on it, and the third clutches a bundle. The word "Banditti" at the bottom hints these might be outlaws or rebels. The artist used fine lines to create texture, especially in the hair and fabric. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Haynes made detailed prints.
