Head of a Man [recto]

Théodore Gericault

Associated Names
Théodore Gericault

Artist, French, 1791 - 1824

The image is a detailed sketch of a man's head and upper shoulders. The man is in profile facing left with his head slightly turned upward. He has a prominent nose and mustache, deep-set eyes, and short, curly hair styled in a tousled yet controlled manner. The sketch emphasizes the texture and movement of his hair through intricate line work. He appears shirtless with no visible clothing on his shoulders or upper chest, and there are no visible jewelry or objects. The drawing has a simple background with shaded areas for depth, against a plain, lightly textured backdrop.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink over traces of graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon

  • Dimensions

    overall: 16.3 x 13.1 cm (6 7/16 x 5 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.47.42.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a drawing of a man's head and shoulders facing towards the left. His facial features are visible, such as deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and a defined jawline. He has short, slightly wavy hair. The man appears to be wearing a draped garment with soft, rounded folds near his shoulders. There are no visible jewelry or objects. The background is a plain, lightly shaded surface with sketched lines and markings, giving an unfinished appearance.

Study of a Man [verso]

Théodore Gericault

1791

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Wildenstein and Co., London), by 1947;[1] Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, Upperville, VA, by 1989; gift to NGA, 1995.
[1] See French XIX Century Drawings. Wildenstein and Co., New York, 1947-48, no. 25.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1947

  • French XIX Century Drawings. Wildenstein and Co., New York, 1947-48, no. 25.

1953

  • The French Impressionists. Vancouver Art Gallery, 1953, no. 27 (repr).

1955

  • Timeless Master Drawings. Wildenstein and Co., New York, 1955, no. 140.

1956

  • The Art of Drawing. XVIth to XIXth Centuries. Wildenstein and Co., London, 1956, no. 91.

1960

  • Drawings by the Masters. Wildenstein nd Co., london, 1960, no. 72.

2012

  • Vernet to Villon: Nineteenth-Century French Master Drawings from the National Gallery of Art. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, University of Oklahoma. Norman, OK, 2012, no. 6.

Bibliography

1987

  • Bazin, Germain. Théodore Géricault. Étude Critique, Documents et Catalohue Raisonné. 3 vols. Paris, 1989: III: 192, no. 839 (repro.).

Wikidata ID

Q64633067

You may be interested in

Loading Results