Artwork
Guillaume Apollinaire
Guillaume Apollinaire is a crayon drawing by Louis Casimir Ladislas Marcoussis. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Louis Casimir Ladislas Marcoussis produced this drawing in 1921. Executed with red crayon on wove paper, the work measures a modest size and is signed only with the artist’s name. The piece is catalogued under the title "Guillaume Apollinaire," indicating a portrait of the French poet and critic.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary male figure in profile, his gaze directed slightly downward. Short, wavy hair frames a high‑collared shirt with a ruffled cuff, suggesting a formal or intellectual bearing. The subdued expression and minimal background invite contemplation of the sitter’s inner life, echoing Apollinaire’s reputation as a reflective literary figure.
Technique & Style
Marcoussis employed a single red crayon, allowing the drawing to retain a warm, earthy hue throughout. The lines are rendered with confidence, appearing as swift, gestural strokes that capture the contours of the face and attire without elaborate detail. The sparse background, reduced to a few loose marks, emphasizes the immediacy of the portrait’s gesture.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after Apollinaire’s death in 1918, the drawing reflects the artist’s engagement with contemporary cultural icons. The work entered museum collections in the mid‑20th century, though specific acquisition details remain limited. Its presence in the museum’s drawing department underscores Marcoussis’s role in early 20th‑century French graphic art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis Casimir Ladislas Marcoussis
Louis Casimir Ladislas Marcoussis (1914–1914) was an artist.
