My Son Cyril 1877

William Holman Hunt captured this delicate portrait of his son Cyril with pencil on paper. The drawing's strength lies in its compositional balance and the interplay of light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and volume despite the limited tonal range. The artist masterfully uses line to define Cyril's features, capturing a likeness with remarkable precision. The hatching and cross-hatching techniques employed to model the face and hair also add a tactile quality to the work, hinting at the softness of the child's skin and the texture of his hair. Hunt's Pre-Raphaelite leanings, which focus on heightened realism and emotional resonance, also contribute to a sense of intimacy. The attention to detail and the subtle rendering of Cyril's expression invite viewers to contemplate the relationship between the artist and his subject. The portrait offers a glimpse into the private world of the artist and the values he placed on family and domesticity.