Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1830
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1830
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This drawing presents a portrait of a man, likely Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, standing with his hands behind his back. He is dressed in a long coat and pants, with his head turned slightly to the left. The artist has used cross-hatching to create a sense of texture and depth in the subject's clothing and facial features. The subject's facial expression is somewhat serious, with a hint of introspection. His eyes are cast downward, giving the impression that he is lost in thought. The overall mood of the portrait is one of quiet contemplation. The use of cross-hatching in this drawing creates a sense of movement and energy, despite the subject's still pose. This technique was commonly used in Romanticism to convey emotion and drama. For more information on this style, explore the Romanticism movement.
