Artwork
Head Study of a Fisherman from Capri
Head Study of a Fisherman from Capri is a gouache painting by the Realist artist Lorenz Frølich. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Head Study of a Fisherman from Capri is executed in graphite on paper, part of a mixed-media combination that also incorporates watercolor and gouache.
Head Study of a Fisherman from Capri is executed in graphite on paper, part of a mixed-media combination that also incorporates watercolor and gouache. The work is classified as a painting rather than a pure drawing, reflecting its handling of fluid washes alongside dry linear marks. Measuring 294 mm in height by 239 mm in width, the modest sheet supports a portrait-format study of a male sitter.
The combination of graphite with watercolor and gouache allows for both precise contour work and broader tonal modeling, characteristic of a head study intended to capture the fisherman's likeness with economy of means. The piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Created in 1849 by the Danish artist Lorenz Frølich, Head Study of a Fisherman from Capri is a portrait executed on paper using graphite, watercolor, and gouache. The work was produced in Scandinavia during the mid-19th century. While the specific commission details for this study are not recorded in the available documentation, the piece has been attributed to Frølich's early period of portraiture.
The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its physical dimensions measure 294 mm in height and 239 mm in width. The provenance chain traces from the artist's studio in Scandinavia to its current institutional home, though intermediate ownership records prior to the museum's acquisition are not detailed in the provided sources.
Overview
Lorenz Frølich's "Head Study of a Fisherman from Capri," created in 1849, is a graphite drawing depicting a specific individual. This portrait, now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, reflects the artist's interest in capturing local figures during his travels. It serves as an observational study, focusing on the distinct features and attire of a man identified with the island of Capri, illustrating a common artistic practice of documenting regional types.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a man's head and shoulders, shown in a slight turn, suggesting a natural pose. His dark hair is neatly contained under a distinctive red and black hat, and he wears round glasses, lending a particular character to his expression. A light blue cloth is draped over one shoulder, adding a subtle detail to his attire.
The title specifies his identity as a fisherman from Capri, grounding the portrait in a particular time and place.
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Artist & collection
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