Head of a Man in Profile, from Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres (Book of Heads Engraved after F. Boucher and Others)
Original title: Head of a Man in Profile, from Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres (Book of Heads Engraved after F. Boucher and Others)
kurzbeschreibung
An unknown French engraver of the 18th century produced this profile of a man with curly hair and a patterned shirt. The sheet belongs to a series after François Boucher and other models and combines etching and engraving. It is trimmed to the plate mark and measures 17.7 x 14.2 cm.
Description
The man's head is shown in profile, turned slightly to the left. His gaze is directed forward, while soft shadows and highlights model the face. Wavy hair falls over his shoulder, and the shirt displays a striking pattern visible in the lower half of the image. A plain background draws attention to the head and clothing. Rendered in black and white, hatching emphasizes textures and contours.
Context
This print comes from the 'Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres', a collection of head studies engraved after François Boucher and other artists. Such portfolios served as models for artists and drawing enthusiasts in the 18th century. The anonymous engraver followed Boucher's style, known for elegant and sensual depictions. Etching with engraving was a common technique for reproductive prints of the period.
Impact
Fine lines and a lively rendering of the facial features define the sheet. Light and shadow give the portrait plastic depth, making the sitter almost tangible. The clear arrangement and reduced setting create a calm, concentrated mood.
Technique
An etching refined with engraving is presented here. This combination allowed for fine lines and precise hatching to convey textures and shading. The sheet is trimmed to the plate mark, so the printing plate ends directly at the sheet edges.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)