Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat

Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat

Swiss 16th Century

1526

chalk

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a man’s head and shoulders turned slightly to the side. His face is serious, with a short beard and a broad-brimmed hat shading his forehead. The artist used soft lines for his skin and clothing, with darker strokes for shadows and a light wash to blend tones. Notice how the hat’s brim cuts across the top of the page—it’s not centered, making the face feel more natural. The mix of black chalk and red chalk gives the drawing a warm, earthy look. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique creates depth with light and shadow.

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