Artwork
Study of a woman's head

Study of a woman's head is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Edward T. Davis. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This drawing, titled 'Study of a woman's head', is a work on paper created in 1857 by Edward T. Davis. It is a representational study of a woman's face.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman with her head turned away, her face partially obscured by a loose cloth or hood. Her downcast eyes and calm yet tired expression convey a sense of serenity.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a range of gray and white tones, using quick, sketchy lines to capture the subject. Crisscrossed lines, particularly in the cloth and hair, create texture and depth through a technique known as cross-hatching, giving the drawing a three-dimensional appearance.
History & Provenance
The drawing is part of the collection of the artist's brother, indicating a familial connection to the work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward T. Davis made pencil and watercolor studies in the mid-1800s, capturing quiet moments and places as they appeared. His Study of a woman's head (1857) shows careful linework on paper, while Woodland Scene (mid…











![Studies of a Female Head [recto], by Perry, Enoch Wood, Jr.](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/perry-enoch-wood-jr--studies-of-a-female-head-recto--da87fb5fc8e6c9bf-w320.webp)