Artwork
Head of a Boy
Head of a Boy is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Wilhelm Leibl. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Wilhelm Leibl’s 1874 print titled *Head of a Boy* is an etching executed on Japanese paper. The work is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It presents a solitary portrait in which the young male subject occupies the central plane, set against a uniformly dark background that accentuates his features.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on a boy’s head, rendered with careful attention to facial expression and hair texture. Light falls across his face, highlighting the contours of the cheekbones and eyes, while the surrounding darkness isolates the figure, inviting contemplation of the individual’s presence rather than a narrative context.
Technique & Style
Leibl employed traditional intaglio methods, incising lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto Japanese paper. The etching displays a nuanced range of tonal values, achieved through varied line density and subtle hatching. The contrast between illuminated areas and deep shadows creates a three‑dimensional impression within the flat medium.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, the print entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings at an unspecified later date, where it remains on view. Its provenance traces back to Leibl’s own workshop, reflecting the artist’s interest in realistic portraiture during the late nineteenth century.
Artist & collection
