Artwork
Head of a bearded man

Head of a bearded man is a drawing by the Baroque artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1738 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Head of a bearded man is a drawing created by Benjamin West in 1738, currently part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts the face of a bearded man, with the subject's expression and context left undefined, focusing attention on the portrayal of facial features and texture.
Technique & Style
The work employs loose, wavy lines and cross-hatching, a technique of layered, overlapping strokes, to achieve contrasting dark and light areas, resulting in a rough, textured appearance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1738 by Benjamin West, the drawing is now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, with visible signs of aging, including smudges and fading, evident on the paper.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820) was an American-born British painter who specialised in history painting, creating such works as The Death of Nelson, The Death of General Wolfe, the Treaty of Paris,…








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