Artwork
Head of a Man
Head of a Man is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles-Paul-Jean-Baptiste de Bourgevin Vialart de Saint-Morys. It dates from 1785 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1785, the print titled Head of a Man is an etching and aquatint executed in a reddish‑brown tone on laid paper. The work is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and exemplifies the artist’s interest in rapid, gestural drawing within the print medium.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary male profile, his gaze directed downward. The figure’s hair is rendered in a turbulent, almost swirling fashion, emphasizing a sense of inner agitation or emotional intensity. The composition isolates the face, allowing the viewer to focus on the psychological presence conveyed through the loose line work.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a combination of etching and aquatint, using the latter to achieve a uniform, warm red‑brown wash that unifies the surface. The lines are executed with a brisk, almost sketch‑like quality, suggesting a swift hand and a preference for spontaneity over meticulous detail. The laid paper’s texture adds a tactile dimension that reinforces the work’s historic character.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Charles‑Paul‑Jean‑Baptiste de Bourgevin Vialart de Saint‑Morys, the print reflects the late‑eighteenth‑century French printmaking tradition. After its creation, the work entered various private collections before being acquired by the National Gallery of Art, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s print and drawing holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles-Paul-Jean-Baptiste de Bourgevin Vialart de Saint-Morys
Charles-Paul-Jean-Baptiste de Bourgevin Vialart de Saint-Morys (1743–1795) was an artist.
