Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Jean-Jacques de Boissieu. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This drawing, Portrait of a Man, is the work of Jean-Jacques de Boissieu, created around 1770. It is a pen and brown ink drawing with brown wash on laid paper, held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a bearded man with curly hair, wearing a high, stiff collar with a button near his chest. The artist's focus on the subject's face, particularly his eyes and beard, suggests an emphasis on capturing his character.
Technique & Style
De Boissieu employed loose, expressive lines and quick strokes to convey texture, as seen in the subject's furrowed brow. The use of brown ink and wash created a sense of depth, while the sketchy style reflected the artistic values of the time, prioritizing feeling over precise detail.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Jacques de Boissieu (1736–1810) was a French artist, born in Lyon.
