Artwork
Man with Curly Hair
Man with Curly Hair is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
John Singer Sargent’s 1872 drawing, titled *Man with Curly Hair*, presents a three‑quarter view of a male sitter’s head and upper chest. Executed in graphite on a gray‑green wove paper, the work measures the sitter’s features against an unadorned beige field, directing attention to the figure’s expression and form.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures a young man with tightly coiled hair and a neatly trimmed moustache, rendered with a focus on facial character. The simplicity of the background eliminates extraneous detail, allowing the viewer to consider the sitter’s demeanor and the subtle psychological presence conveyed through the careful modeling of his features.
Technique & Style
Sargent employs a range of graphite tones to build volume, using delicate hatching and cross‑hatching to suggest the texture of hair and the soft transitions of skin. The contrast between the darkened hair and the lighter surrounding paper creates depth, while the restrained palette underscores the artist’s confidence in line and shading to define form without color.
History & Provenance
Created early in Sargent’s career, the drawing reflects his academic training and emerging interest in portraiture. Though specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been catalogued among his early graphite studies, illustrating the development of his draftsmanship that would later inform his celebrated oil portraits.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Singer Sargent (; January 12, 1856 – April 15, 1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Belle Époque and Edwardian-era luxury.
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