Study of an old man’s head
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Study of an old man’s head is a 1850 by Richard CB, RA, ARA Redgrave, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
Richard Redgrave sketched this head in pencil and chalk. It’s a quick study—not a final portrait, but a warm-up for something bigger. The old man’s face gets the most detail, while his shoulders fade away. Artists often draw like this before painting. Redgrave did too, but this head wasn’t tied to one painting. It’s just practice with light and shadow. Check out more by Richard Redgrave at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
This pencil and chalk drawing on paper depicts a study of an old man’s head, turned to the left with detailed rendering, while his shoulders and clothing are sketched more loosely. Executed by Richard Redgrave, the work employs black chalk to deepen shadows and white chalk to accentuate highlights. The drawing was donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1932 by the artist’s granddaughter, Dorothy Margaret Redgrave, and had previously been part of an album of 126 drawings assembled to showcase Redgrave’s draughtsmanship.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Richard Redgrave painted quiet English woods, cottages, and manor halls in watercolour and oil.
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