Bust of a Man

Bust of a Man

John Singer Sargent

1892

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

The painting shows a man from the shoulders up, with a big nose and expressive eyes. He's set against a plain background. The artist used simple means to draw attention to the man's face, which is interesting because it shows how much can be conveyed with just a few lines and shading. This sketch is a good example of an artist using simplicity to create a strong portrait. Look up the technique of sfumato to see more examples of artists using subtle shading to create depth.

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