Who painted Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache?

Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache was painted by Tito Lessi in 1896.

Where can I see Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache?

Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache?

Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache

Tito Lessi , 1896

Head of a Youth and a Man with a Moustache is a watercolor drawing by the Impressionist artist Tito Lessi. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1896 by Italian artist Tito Lessi, this drawing combines graphite and watercolor to depict two male figures. The work is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and is catalogued as a portrait drawing rather than a fully painted canvas.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a young man, shown from the shoulders upward with his eyes closed, alongside an older gentleman whose moustache is visible and whose gaze is directed downward. The juxtaposition of the closed eyes of the youth and the contemplative stare of the older figure suggests a contrast between innocence and experience, though no explicit narrative is provided.

Technique & Style

Lessi employed a delicate graphite underdrawing that he later enriched with translucent watercolor washes. The soft transitions of tone and the subtle handling of light give the faces a three‑dimensional presence while maintaining an overall impressionistic softness. The limited palette and restrained brushwork emphasize form over detail.

History & Provenance

The drawing entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century, though the precise path from Lessi’s studio to the museum remains undocumented. Its attribution to Lessi has been confirmed by stylistic comparison with other works dated to the mid‑1890s.