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Man Reaching Down and Two Studies of Heads (recto)

Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet

1698

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Man Reaching Down and Two Studies of Heads (recto) is a 1698 chalk by Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet
When & what style?: 1698 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows three quick drawings on brown paper. At the top is a hand reaching upward, fingers spread wide. Below are two heads—one looking up, the other turned slightly, both with loose, flowing hair. The artist used red and black chalk, adding white highlights to make the faces pop. The lines feel urgent, like they were drawn fast. Next, check out the Baroque movement for more dramatic sketches like this.