Old Man with Bare Head
1762
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1762
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with a long, wavy beard and curly hair. His face is turned slightly to the side, and his expression looks thoughtful. The background is plain and dark, so all the focus stays on his face and beard. The artist used fine lines to show every strand of hair and wrinkle, making the texture look almost real. This kind of detailed linework is a hallmark of etching. Next, look up technique: etching to see how artists create these sharp, precise lines.
