Who painted Head of a Boy?

Head of a Boy was painted by Wilhelm Leibl in 1874.

Where can I see Head of a Boy?

Head of a Boy is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Head of a Boy?

Head of a Boy is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Head of a Boy?

Museum-quality prints of Head of a Boy are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Head of a Boy

Wilhelm Leibl , 1874

Head of a Boy is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Wilhelm Leibl. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper left in plate: HEINRICH WETTEROTH MUNCHEN GDR; upper right in plate: II.; lower right in plate: W Leibl / W. LEIBL; below image in graphite: R[undeciphered] der druckb[undeciphered] Li[undeciphered] / des Kunstvereins / OGraf; lower right corner in graphite by later hand: E224n

About this work

Overview

Wilhelm Leibl’s 1874 print titled Head of a Boy is an etching executed on Japanese paper. The work is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It presents a solitary portrait in which the young male subject occupies the central plane, set against a uniformly dark background that accentuates his features.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on a boy’s head, rendered with careful attention to facial expression and hair texture. Light falls across his face, highlighting the contours of the cheekbones and eyes, while the surrounding darkness isolates the figure, inviting contemplation of the individual’s presence rather than a narrative context.

Technique & Style

Leibl employed traditional intaglio methods, incising lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto Japanese paper. The etching displays a nuanced range of tonal values, achieved through varied line density and subtle hatching. The contrast between illuminated areas and deep shadows creates a three‑dimensional impression within the flat medium.

History & Provenance

Created in 1874, the print entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings at an unspecified later date, where it remains on view. Its provenance traces back to Leibl’s own workshop, reflecting the artist’s interest in realistic portraiture during the late nineteenth century.