Who painted Head of a Man?

Head of a Man was painted by Seth Wells Cheney.

Where can I see Head of a Man?

Head of a Man is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Head of a Man?

Head of a Man is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Head of a Man

Seth Wells Cheney

Head of a Man is a charcoal drawing by the Romanticist artist Seth Wells Cheney. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Head of a Man is a drawing executed in 1847 by American artist Seth Wells Cheney. Rendered in charcoal and white chalk on wove paper, the work presents a solitary male head rendered in monochrome, exemplifying Cheney’s interest in portraiture and the expressive possibilities of dry media.

Technique & Style

Cheney employed charcoal for the dominant tonal structure, using white chalk to model highlights and suggest the three‑dimensional form of the face. The choice of wove paper provides a smooth surface that supports fine shading, while the limited palette emphasizes contrast and the subtle modeling of light across the features.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, the drawing reflects Cheney’s early career before he turned to illustration and photography. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s studio, later entering private collections; the work has been documented in catalogues of American drawing from the period, confirming its attribution to Cheney.