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Head of a Man

Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr.

1875

gouache

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

Head of a Man is a 1875 gouache by Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr., a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr.
When & what style?: 1875 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man’s face in profile, turned slightly toward us. His hair is graying, and his expression looks thoughtful. The background is just a plain gray paper, so all the focus stays on his wrinkles and the way the light hits his skin. The artist used soft shading and a little color (gouache) to make the face look three-dimensional. The paper has a textured feel, almost like it’s been used before. If you like this style, check out gouache to see how artists mix paint and water for a matte, layered look.