Artwork
Head of an Old Man
Head of an Old Man is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Antoine Coypel. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1716, this drawing depicts the profile of an elderly male figure rendered in colored chalks on a buff‑toned laid paper.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1716, this drawing depicts the profile of an elderly male figure rendered in colored chalks on a buff‑toned laid paper. The work exemplifies the refined draftsmanship typical of French academic drawing in the early eighteenth century, focusing on subtle tonal variations to model the sitter’s features.
Context
Antoine Coypel, a prominent French painter and draughtsman, held several prestigious posts, including court painter to Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, and later to King Louis XV. He also directed the Académie Royale and served as Keeper of the royal collections, responsibilities that placed him at the centre of France’s artistic establishment.
Technique & Style
The piece employs colored chalks, allowing the artist to build delicate layers of hue and shade on the textured surface of laid paper. This method produces a nuanced modeling of the face, reflecting the decorative yet disciplined aesthetic of the period’s academic training, where precision of line and controlled colour were paramount.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antoine Coypel (French pronunciation: ; 11 April 1661 – 7 January 1722) was a French painter, pastellist, engraver, decorative designer and draughtsman.
![Study of a Man's Head [recto], by Alphonse Legros](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/alphonse-legros--study-of-a-man-s-head-recto--745204b66df421ed-w320.webp)
