Three Oriental Heads
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows three heads drawn in quick, loose lines. The faces are turned slightly away, with one wearing a hat and another a headscarf. The paper has a rough, textured look, and the ink lines vary in thickness. The artist used shading to give the faces depth, focusing on the curves of the hair and clothing. This style was common in studies from life, where speed mattered more than detail. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layers of lines.
![Female Figure (Penitent Magdalene?) [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/b0756d00ad6853a6/thumb.webp)
![Mucius Scaevola [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/0de678fa443f7962/thumb.webp)
