Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man in Profile
Portrait of a Young Man in Profile is a pastel drawing by the Romanticist artist European 19th Century. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a pastel drawing on laid paper depicting a young male figure shown in profile, looking to the left.
About this work
Overview
The work is a pastel drawing on laid paper depicting a young male figure shown in profile, looking to the left. He is rendered with short dark hair, a blue jacket featuring gold‑toned buttons, and a white collar. The composition is modest in scale, focusing on the sitter’s face and upper torso, and conveys a restrained, intimate portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears to be a young gentleman, his attire suggesting a degree of social standing or aspiration. The blue jacket with two rows of decorative buttons and the crisp white collar indicate a fashionable dress of the period, while the calm expression and turned head imply a contemplative or modest demeanor, typical of private portrait commissions.
Technique & Style
Executed in pastel, the artist exploits the medium’s capacity for soft edges and subtle tonal shifts, achieving a delicate rendering of skin and fabric. The laid paper surface contributes a faint texture that interacts with the pastel particles, enhancing the drawing’s gentle luminosity. The handling is precise yet airy, reflecting a refined approach to portraiture in the medium.
History & Provenance
Details regarding the drawing’s creation date, artist, and ownership history are presently undocumented. The work remains catalogued under its descriptive title, "Portrait of a Young Man in Profile," and is held within a collection that has yet to disclose further provenance information.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist worked in 1800 Europe, leaving three small pastel portraits and one bronze lizard.
