Three quarter male bust 1860

This is a three-quarter male bust drawn by Mariano Fortuny Marsal, using pen and ink on paper. The artist’s masterful technique of hatching lines creates a sense of volume and texture, especially in the figure's hair and musculature. The cross-hatching, a method used to create tonal or shading effects by drawing closely spaced parallel lines, shows the artist's proficiency in traditional drawing practices. The stark contrast between the precise lines of the figure and the sketchier background emphasizes the artist’s attention to detail. Fortuny Marsal's decision to use pen and ink, simple materials though they may be, allowed him to create a work that highlights the skill and time involved in the production process. While seemingly modest, the drawing stands as a testament to the artist's technical ability, blurring the lines between fine art and craft through the labor-intensive process of its making.