Portrait of an Old Peasant Woman, in Profile to the Right, and Peasant Woman with Closed Eyes
1874
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1874
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows two faces of the same woman in profile, drawn in black ink on pale paper. Her hair is pulled back under a dark hat, and her features are simple but detailed—thick eyebrows, a strong nose, and a slightly open mouth. The lines are scratchy, almost like quick strokes, giving the faces a rough texture. The artist used only ink and paper, with no color. The two views show how her face changes when turned slightly. The sketch feels quick and honest, like a snapshot of a real person. Look up Realism next to see more works like this.
