Robert Cecil

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair and a ruffled collar. His face is serious, and he’s wearing a dark coat with a light cravat. The edges of the oval frame fade into a plain background. The artist used shading to make the hair and fabric look textured. This was a common way to add depth in older prints. Next, check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create drama.