Portrait of the Artist's Father

Portrait of the Artist's Father

Friedrich Wilhelm Moritz

1819

watercolor

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a simple, round portrait of a man with curly hair and a serious look. He’s wearing a dark coat over a light striped shirt with a high collar. The background is just a plain brown circle, so all the focus stays on his face. The artist used watercolor and a little varnish to give it a soft, slightly faded feel. The brushstrokes are gentle, making the colors blend smoothly. Next, look up watercolor, glazing to see how artists build depth with thin layers of paint.

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app