Character study sheet 

This character study sheet was drawn by Alfred Dehodencq using graphite. The sheet as a whole presents a myriad of images. Look at how many faces are in this drawing, gazing in different directions. We see an echo of the Renaissance concern with capturing the full range of human expression, a fascination that finds earlier roots in the classical world with theatrical masks. These faces, some serene, others caught in what seems to be dialogue, recall the tradition of depicting the human psyche through physiognomy. Consider also the motif of paired figures whispering, a composition that recurs in art across centuries. It speaks to secrets, intimacy, perhaps conspiracy – a visual shorthand for the hidden currents of human interaction. This can be found in ancient Roman frescoes and reappears in 19th-century genre paintings. It is a potent symbol, tapping into our subconscious awareness. The cyclical return of such imagery testifies to the enduring human preoccupation with understanding the self and others.