Artwork
Head of a Man
Head of a Man is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Head of a Man is a drawing created by Honoré Daumier in 1844, combining watercolor, graphite, pen and black ink, and black chalk.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a man's head and shoulders, conveying a sense of simplicity and informality. Daumier's work often critiqued French society, reflecting his republican democratic views during a period of political upheaval.
Technique & Style
Daumier employed loose, quick lines and a mix of media to achieve a sketchy, unfinished quality. The use of watercolor and ink added to the spontaneous feel, with some details, like the beard and lips, standing out against a mostly blurred face.
Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870.
