Artwork
Head of a Young Woman
Head of a Young Woman is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Eastman Johnson. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Head of a Young Woman is a graphite drawing on wove paper created by Eastman Johnson in 1850.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman's profile with her eyes closed, suggesting a state of rest. Her hair is pulled back and her collar is simple, conveying a sense of serenity.
Technique & Style
The artist employed loose, rapid marks to suggest the subject's features, eschewing precise details. This approach lends the drawing a sketch-like quality, with soft and light lines that evoke the effect of sfumato, where edges are subtly blended.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jonathan Eastman Johnson (July 29, 1824 – April 5, 1906) was an American painter and co-founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, with his name inscribed at its entrance.
