Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait

William Unger

1880

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man with a big beard and a wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his forehead. His collar is turned up, and his hands rest loosely in his lap. The lines are scratchy and uneven, giving the whole image a rough, textured look. The artist used a technique that leaves lots of tiny marks on the paper, making the face feel almost alive with movement. This style was popular in the late 1800s for capturing quick, honest moments. Next, look up etching to see how artists create these detailed, grainy prints.

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