Frontispiece: Head of a Bearded Man, from "Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres"
Original title: Frontispiece: Head of a Bearded Man, from "Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres" (Book of Heads Engraved after F. Boucher and Others)
kurzbeschreibung
A bearded man with his gaze turned upward appears in this frontispiece. It belongs to a series of head studies that an unknown French artist of the 18th century executed as etching and engraving after designs by François Boucher and other masters.
Description
Thick, wavy hair falls over the man's forehead and the back of his head. His cheeks, chin, and lips are covered by a short, curly beard. An earring is visible, and his gaze is directed upward. Fine lines and hatching bring out details and texture. At the bottom of the sheet are title and publisher information.
Context
The head studies in this series derive from works by François Boucher and other artists and were reproduced as engravings. Such pattern books offered models in the 18th century for artists and drawing enthusiasts alike. That the execution remained anonymous and that etching was combined with engraving is typical of reproductive printmaking of the period.
Impact
The even lighting and calm linework give the portrait a focused intensity. The upward gaze and the precise rendering of hair and beard lend it an intimate, almost monumental presence.
Technique
Etching and engraving are combined here, allowing lines to be drawn precisely and hatching to be finely graded. The black-and-white execution is characteristic of this process. The sheet measures 18.2 x 13.8 cm and is trimmed to the platemark.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)