Study of a male head after 1833

This study of a male head by Horace Vernet, dated after 1833, is a striking example of the artist's skill in capturing the essence of his subject. The painting, rendered in a realistic style, emphasizes the man's strong features, particularly the intense gaze of his dark eyes. The loose brushstrokes and the visible underpainting contribute to the sense of immediacy and informality, suggesting that this is a work created for the artist's own study and exploration of form and expression. Vernet is known for his depictions of military subjects and his time spent painting scenes of North Africa, so this study likely represents a figure he encountered during his travels.