Artwork
Caricature, a man's head in profile
Caricature, a man's head in profile is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a drawing that depicts a male figure shown in profile, his head turned toward the left.
About this work
Overview
The work is a drawing that depicts a male figure shown in profile, his head turned toward the left. A cloth drapes over his hair, and the facial features are deliberately exaggerated, creating a humorous, caricatured effect.
Technique & Style
Executed with bold, confident lines, the drawing relies on minimal shading. The artist employs cross‑hatching and stippling to suggest texture and depth, while the overall composition remains simple and playful.
Subject & Meaning
By amplifying the man's facial characteristics, the piece functions as a visual satire, inviting viewers to recognize the subject through recognizable yet distorted traits. The use of a cloth to conceal the hair adds a modest, perhaps anonymous, quality to the figure.
Context
Caricature as a genre has long been used to comment on social types and personalities. This drawing aligns with that tradition, employing straightforward line work to emphasize the comedic potential of exaggerated portraiture.
Artist & collection
