Steel
1896
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1896
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This drawing shows a side-profile of an older man in a long, dark coat and light trousers. His hair is curly and gray, and he’s holding a cane in one hand. The background is plain, so all the focus is on his clothes and posture. The title “Steel” hints this might be a play on his name—or maybe the artist’s way of describing his stiff, serious look. The drawing was made for *Vanity Fair*, a magazine known for sharp, funny portraits. If you like this style, check out the technique chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow to shape faces.
