This is a drawing of a classical sculpture's head. The drawing features the head of a bearded figure rendered in grayscale, conveying three-dimensional depth through shading and highlights. The hair and beard are intricately detailed with curling strands. The face carries a serene and noble expression with prominent brow ridges and a straight nose. The eyes are hollow, characteristic of sculptural representations, enhancing the classical aesthetic of the piece. The attention to detail and smooth transitions in shading suggest it might be a study of an ancient statue.
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This is a drawing of a classical sculpture's head. The drawing features the head of a bearded figure rendered in grayscale, conveying three-dimensional depth through shading and highlights. The hair and beard are intricately detailed with curling strands. The face carries a serene and noble expression with prominent brow ridges and a straight nose. The eyes are hollow, characteristic of sculptural representations, enhancing the classical aesthetic of the piece. The attention to detail and smooth transitions in shading suggest it might be a study of an ancient statue.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

Antique Bearded Head

John Flaxman

Medium
brush and gray ink with gray wash
Dimensions
overall: 20.1 x 15.2 cm (7 15/16 x 6 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1980.45.515
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1751 to 1775
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • British
  • male
  • figure
  • Head

NGA object ID 58223. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.