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Three Oriental Heads

John Hamilton Mortimer

1772

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Three Oriental Heads is a 1772 ink by John Hamilton Mortimer, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Hamilton Mortimer
When & what style?: 1772 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows three heads drawn in quick, loose lines. The figures wear flowing robes and head coverings, with one person’s face turned slightly away. The artist used only black ink on light paper, leaving the background empty. The sketch feels sketchy—literally. The artist used *cross-hatching* to add shadows and texture, especially on the robes. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists build depth with just lines.