Artwork

The Brunette, Female Head

The Brunette, Female Head, by Brocky, 1850
The Brunette, Female Head, by Brocky, 1850

The Brunette, Female Head is a drawing by Brocky. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The Brunette, Female Head is a coloured chalk drawing depicting a woman's head in a slightly upward-turned profile, characterized by soft, smudged lines and loose, expressive rendering.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman with brown hair pulled back into a loose bun, wearing a simple, light-colored dress hinted at by the neckline. Her expression and the drawing's overall simplicity focus attention on her quiet, everyday demeanor.

Technique & Style

Executed with a light touch, the drawing features soft, smudged coloured chalk marks, accompanied by subtle pencil strokes around the ear and cheek, suggesting either rapid execution or exploratory shading techniques.

History & Provenance

Currently housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, specific details about the artwork's creation date, artist, or historical ownership are not provided in the available information.

Artist & collection

Artist

Brocky

Brocky worked in early 19th-century Britain, turning paper and paint into close-up portraits of women.