Head of an Old Man c. 1877 - 1879

Frank Duveneck's "Head of an Old Man" (c. 1877 - 1879) is a powerful portrait that showcases the artist's masterful use of impasto. Duveneck, known for his bold brushstrokes and expressive realism, captures the weathered features of the elderly man with both sensitivity and a sense of immediacy. The thick, textured paint, particularly noticeable in the subject's hair and clothing, gives the portrait a dynamic and almost sculptural quality. The painting's unfinished appearance, with the background left mostly bare, adds to its raw energy and suggests a fleeting glimpse into the sitter's life.